NFA assures ample rice supply amid rainy season

By Benilda Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- The National Food Authority (NFA) in Sorsogon has assured the public that it has sufficient rice stocks available as the rainy season approaches.

This proactive measure directly supports President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s national food security program, which emphasizes the government’s responsibility to provide enough and affordable rice for all Filipinos.

In an interview on the Ugnayan sa PIA Sorsogon radio program, Epifanio Gosca, the assistant branch manager of NFA Sorsogon, reported that their warehouses are nearly full, highlighting the success of their recent rice procurement efforts. He confirmed that this substantial rice stockpile will adequately meet the needs of all local government units (LGUs) in the province.

NFA’s facilities are fully prepared for efficient distribution, with buffer stocks readily available. “NFA has sufficient buffer stocks that can sustain six days of consumption for Sorsoganons, based on an average daily rice consumption requirement of 13,210 sacks,” Gosca added.

Currently, the NFA holds 70 percent of its target rice sack count, which is a strategic level and not considered an oversupply. This positions the NFA to respond quickly to any potential disruptions in supply.

“Our strategic release of rice from storage will help LGUs prepare for potential challenges in the coming months,” Gosca explained.

“Our highly skilled personnel are experts in maintaining rice quality through proper storage and sorting, ensuring that only the highest quality rice reaches consumers,” he added.

Also, the NFA has implemented strong measures to protect its rice reserves from potential typhoon damage, further demonstrating its commitment to a consistent supply.

Moreover, the NFA Sorsogon branch recently achieved an impressive 200% increase over its June 2025 palay procurement target, acquiring 107,159 sacks compared to the initial goal of 50,000 sacks. This exceptional performance is the result of strong collaboration with local farmers and their organizations.

The NFA is committed to fair pricing, offering P18 per kilogram for wet palay and P24/kg for dry palay. These prices significantly exceed the prevailing market rate of P14/kg, ensuring that farmers receive a fair and profitable return for their hard work. This commitment dispels any misinformation regarding low NFA buying prices and is crucial for supporting local farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Throughout the second semester, the NFA will continue its milling operations.

In addition to maintaining ample rice stocks, the NFA is actively preparing for the rollout of the government’s P20 rice program under President Marcos’ Kadiwa initiative, which is underway.

This proactive approach by the NFA Sorsogon branch not only ensures food security for the province, especially during the rainy season, but also highlights the government’s dedication to supporting local farmers and providing affordable rice to all Filipinos. (PIA Bicol/Sorsogon)