NFA Bicol ensures sufficient supply for P20/kg rice program

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The National Food Authority in Bicol (NFA-5) has assured the public of sufficient rice supply to sustain the PHP20/kg. rice program under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In an interview on Tuesday, NFA-5 Assistant Regional Manager Julie Llenaresas said over 800,000 sacks of “palay” or unhusked rice are currently stored in various warehouses across the region.

“We have adequate buffer stocks because we have purchased enough palay from our local farmers. The public should know we have enough supplies for the PHP20 per kilogram rice program. We can support this initiative,” she said.

Llenaresas also said rice supply is expected to increase as farmers are selling their harvest to the agency.

“Those 829,482 sacks of palay will last for one year, with additional supplies depending on whether any calamities occur. We are still buying palay from our local farmers, and it’s encouraging to see many selling their products to us,” she said.

Aside from the “palay” inventory, NFA Bicol has a local rice inventory of 65,304 sacks.

In Bicol, the buying price for dry palay is PHP24/kg. while wet palay is at PHP18/kg.

“It’s great that almost all farmers are now selling their harvest to us, as we source the BBM rice program locally,” Llenaresas said.

She said the BBM rice program benefits not only consumers and vulnerable sectors but also farmers.

“This is what the government aims to do: help farmers increase their income while providing affordable, accessible, and freshly harvested agricultural products to the public,” she added.

In a separate interview, DA-Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla confirmed that they continue to provide agricultural inputs to ensure farmers achieve better, high-quality harvests.

“We are supplying them with high-quality seeds and fertilizer subsidies to guarantee a good harvest and a steady supply of Benteng Bigas from the NFA,” he said.

Tornilla also assured that there is enough rice supply in case any disasters or calamities occur.

He added the BBM rice program is a sustainable project that will benefit not only vulnerable sectors in the region but also provide farmers with direct buyers for their produce. (PNA)