Rota stores run out of rice

Large and small stores on Rota have run out of rice to sell due to shipping and delivery problems that remain unclear to them.

Rota storeowners and employees confirmed the rice shortage with the Saipan Tribune yesterday, saying the situation has been ongoing for about two weeks now.

Lanie Manglona, a cashier at the Lucky Store, disclosed that their store ran out of stocks of white rice last week after they failed to get a fresh delivery that was supposed to arrive two weeks ago. Since then, their remaining stock of brown rice has also been sold out.

All store employees and owners interviewed yesterday said that they were only told that the delays were caused by problems with shipping, which they don’t have full information about. They are expecting the delayed delivery to come in on Saturday.

Manglona, who has been with Lucky Store for two years now, said that this was her first time to experience a shortage of rice in the market.

Lucky Store has two outlets on Rota: one in Songsong and one in Sinapalo III. Saipan Tribune learned that both establishments have no rice stocks for their customers.

“Last week, I can say that our store was still okay because we still had a few stocks of brown rice for our customers. But when we found out that the delivery will be delayed again for this weekend, that’s when we started to worry because people are really waiting and asking for the rice supply,” she said.

Among the rice brands customers were specifically looking for are the Jasmine and Calrose brands.

Manglona said that Lucky Store usually receives a delivery of commodities every two weeks. Last week, they were supposed to get the first shipment for the month but they were later informed that it may be delayed for another weekend.

An employee at the 3 Kings Store in Sinapalo confirmed that their store shares the same predicament. 3 Kings has an outlet in Sinapalo 1 and 2. Both stores have run out of rice supply since two weeks ago.

“Now that people can’t find rice anywhere, we’re seeing an increased sale from our breads and flour [commodities],” said the employee, who asked not to be identified, adding that many residents are resorting to buying flour and breads as replacement for rice.

At its sister company, Harvest Store, the same situation prevails, according to employees. Harvest Store, located in Songsong, sold its last stock of rice on Monday last week. Since then, employees said that they have been receiving a barrage of inquiries and complaints from patrons.

Saipan Tribune learned that 3 Kings and Harvest establishments last received their shipment in the second week of July.

A part-time employee of one of the major stores on Rota who declined to be named also confirmed the rice shortage. She revealed that for every shipment, she gets over 40 sacks of rice and these usually last two weeks, depending on the demand.

Rota Mayor Melchor Mendiola did not return calls for comment yesterday.

Rota Legislative Delegation chair Sen. Juan Ayuyu expressed surprised that there was an issue about the rice supply on his island.

He said the matter is under the municipality’s control and that he or the delegation has not been informed about it by the municipal government. He promised to check and obtain more information from the mayor and the Commerce Department on island.

He said that issues like rice shortages or any major concerns that directly affect the lives of Rota residents should have been taken up with the appropriate agencies.

The lawmaker said that if the situation warrants an emergency declaration, the delegation will recommend one to the municipality in order to rectify the problem.