MANILA -- The National Food Authority (NFA) reiterated on Sunday that the sacks of rice infested with rice weevil (bukbok) are still safe for public consumption after these undergo fumigation.

This after authorities discovered last Wednesday over 100,000 sacks of rice infested with rice weevils at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The sacks of rice were imported from Thailand.

NFA spokesperson Rex Estoperez said it will take seven to 12 days to kill the pests, he added.

"Safe po 'yan kainin after ma-fumigate,” Estoperez said.

(That will be safe for consumption after fumigation.)

• Rice weevil-infested rice to undergo fumigation

The NFA explained it is natural for rice to be infested with rice weevils, especially when stored for a long time.

“Common na nangyayari 'yan sa bigas... Fumigation follows international standards. After fumigation, pwede ibaba uli at ilagay sa bodega,” Estoperez said.

(That commonly happens to rice. After fumigation, you can again store it in the warehouse.)

• NFA blames unloading delays for weevil infestation of rice

The government will also not pay for the cost of fumigation since the sacks of rice are still under the custody of the supplier.

The NFA said they will inform the public once all the rice weevil-infested rice stocks have been fumigated.