Latest news with #NationalFoodAuthority
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
NFA rice stocks good for 12 days —Palace
Malacañang on Wednesday said the rice buffer stocks at warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA) are adequate for the government's response and relief efforts amid the adverse weather conditions. "Sabi ng NFA administration, super secure in terms of buffer stock ang NFA at meron po tayong enough stocks to last for 12 days. Buong Pilipinas po ay makakakain," Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing. (The NFA administration assured that we are secured in terms of buffer stock and the NFA has enough stocks to last for 12 days. The entire Philippines could be fed.) Castro said the NFA's rice stocks are available for release to requesting local government units (LGUs) and relief agencies. "Nationwide, wala pong nadanyos na stocks at ang NFA ay ready anytime to release stocks to requesting LGUs (local government units) and relief agencies," she said. (Rice stocks nationwide did not sustain any damage; the NFA is ready anytime to release stocks to requesting LGUs and relief agencies.) The Palace official made the clarification since Occidental Mindoro and Valenzuela City, sites of NFA warehouses, were affected by flooding due to heavy rains brought about by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, intensified by severe tropical storm Crising. Habagat is currently being monitored as it is being enhanced again by Tropical Storm "Dante" and tropical depression "Emong." —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Philippine government to expand affordable rice program amid farmers concerns
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public that the government's PHP20 per kilo rice program will continue and expand to more public markets. In his weekly video vlog posted on Sunday, the President said the affordable rice program reflects the administration's efforts to reduce food prices while supporting Filipino farmers. 'P20 rice is here to stay. It is achievable, it is sustainable. Kaya abangan ninyo sa inyong mga palengke,' Marcos said. The Benteng Bigas Meron Na! (BBM) initiative is currently available through Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets and can be purchased by senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, minimum wage earners, and low-income families. The government aims to reach one million beneficiaries by the end of the year. Marcos also called on newly elected and appointed local government officials, who assumed office on June 30, to work closely with national agencies to improve the delivery of public services. 'Tapos na po ang bahagi ng politika, serbisyo publiko na ang haharapin ninyo ngayon,' he added. Amid concerns that the PHP20 rice may negatively impact local farmers, Marcos said the National Food Authority (NFA) will continue to purchase palay at stable support prices: PHP18 per kilo for wet palay and PHP19 to PHP23 per kilo for dry palay. He also noted that the government is expanding the construction of rice processing facilities and dryers nationwide to help farmers store and process their harvests.
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
NFA seeks return of regulatory powers to help stabilize rice prices
The National Food Authority (NFA) is urging lawmakers to support a proposed bill that will restore its regulatory and market intervention functions—powers that agency officials say are critical to stabilizing rice prices, protecting farmers, and securing the nation's food supply. Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson emphasized that bringing back these powers will enable the agency to perform its original mandate of keeping rice prices within reach of both producers and consumers. "Napakahalaga na maibalik yung iba naming functions, lalo na ang market intervention functions," he said. (It's very important to restore some of our functions, especially market intervention functions.) "Ang intention naman is to tame the prices," he added. Under the current setup, Lacson explained, the NFA has limited ability to release rice from its stocks in a timely manner to offset price surges in the market. With market intervention restored, the agency would be able to act more decisively. "Kapag kami ay regular na nakakapaglabas ng aming stocks, mas lalong magiging fresh ang aming stocks dahil mare-replenish. At the same time, gaganda ang daloy ng financial capability namin," he said. (If we can regularly release our stocks, they'll stay fresh because they'll be replenished. At the same time, our financial capacity will improve.) Buying milled rice directly from farmers A major provision in the draft bill allows the NFA to buy not just palay, but also milled rice directly from farmers and cooperatives. "Hindi lamang palay ang pwede nating bilhin sa magsasaka kundi pati yung milled rice na bigas kung kinakailangan," Lacson stressed. (We can now buy not just palay from farmers, but also milled rice if necessary.) "Yung ating mga magsasaka ay mas lalong lalaki ang kita." (Our farmers will be able to earn more.) Lacson added that this setup would also enhance food security, as it allows the NFA to quickly acquire ready-to-distribute rice during supply shocks. Controlled importation to protect local harvest The draft bill also proposes limits on rice importation, especially during harvest season, to protect local farmers from price crashes caused by a sudden influx of imported rice. "Kukontrolin o hindi gagawin during harvest period, so that ang ating mga magsasaka ay hindi maapektohan ng pagbaba ng presyo ng kanilang pinaghirapang palay," he said. (It will be controlled or avoided during harvest, so that our farmers won't be affected by a drop in palay prices.) Setting floor price for palay, selling price for rice To further support farmers, the NFA will set a floor price for palay based on production costs computed by the Department of Agriculture. For consumers, the NFA will set a ceiling price for the rice it releases to the market, to prevent retailers from excessive markups. "Mayroon ding selling price na ise-set kami para sa mga retailers," he said. (We will also set a selling price for retailers.) "Hindi mapapagsamantalahan ang ating mga consumers," he added. (Our consumers will not be exploited.) Restoring regulatory teeth The bill also seeks to restore the NFA's regulatory powers, including licensing and registration of industry players. This would allow the agency to enforce rules and impose sanctions. "Makakaroon ng ngipin. May kapangyarihan ang NFA mag-sanction. Kapag napatunayan na lumalabag sa batas, puwedeng ipasara." (We'll have teeth. The NFA will have the power to sanction. If they are found to be breaking the law, they can be shut down.) Meanwhile, NFA also expressed its committed to expanding support for Filipino farmers grappling with low palay prices and scaling up the government's P20-rice program to reach 15 million households next year. Lacson assured the public that the NFA has sufficient rice reserves to sustain the ongoing P20-rice program, which has been rolled out through Kadiwa stores and local government partners. As of June, the NFA's buffer stock stands at 11.5 days—well above emergency thresholds—with ongoing palay procurement expected to push reserves even higher. 'Next year po, lahat ng target na 15 million households ay mararating natin,' Lacson said. (Next year, we will reach the target of 15 million households.) He also emphasized that the rice being distributed under the P20-rice program has passed strict quality checks, including moisture testing and laboratory inspection, to ensure that it remains safe and suitable for household consumption. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Marcos confident P20-per-kilo rice is sustainable as production increases
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his confidence in sustaining the P20-per-kilo rice initiative, citing improved rice production as a key factor. Speaking in a new episode of the BBM Podcast, the President explained that as rice production continues to rise, the cost of production decreases—allowing the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell rice at lower prices. 'Since our production is already going up, the cost of production will decrease. That means the NFA can sell at even lower prices,' Marcos said in Filipino. He emphasized that the government is supporting this effort by providing more farming equipment and enhancing irrigation systems. Marcos also assured farmers that the buying price of palay (unhusked rice) will not be reduced despite cheaper market prices for rice. 'We have to support them. Whatever happens to the retail price of rice, we won't lower the NFA's buying price,' he added. Marcos acknowledged that the rollout of his campaign promise took time, as the government had to ensure support mechanisms were in place for farmers. The Department of Agriculture initially launched the P20-per-kilo rice in the Visayas, targeting vulnerable groups through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program. These include indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and minimum wage earners. The program's second phase will begin in July in Mindanao. Marcos also revealed plans for the national government to fully shoulder the program's cost next year, replacing local government contributions. 'Eventually, I'm looking at a proposal that by next year, the contribution will come entirely from the national government,' he said.
GMA Network
02-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
NFA to ship 35,000 bags of rice to Cebu for P20/kilo program
The National Food Authority (NFA) is set to ship some 35,000 bags of rice from San Jose, Oriental Mindoro to Cebu, where they will be sold for P20 per kilogram, as part of the pilot implementation of the government's program aimed to lower prices of rice in the country. According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the latest shipment is part of the 100,000 50-kilo sacks ordered by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia for distribution in the province. The first batch of 35,000 bags arrived three weeks ago. '(T)his effort is about more than just bringing down prices — it is about recognizing and supporting the people who make it possible,' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who also chairs the NFA Council, said in a statement. 'By clearing space in our NFA warehouses, we are making room to buy more palay from you, our beloved farmers. Here in Mindoro, a vital rice-producing province in Southern Tagalog, you deserve not just recognition, but fair prices that truly reflect your hard work and sacrifice,' he added. The NFA buys fresh palay or unmilled rice from farmers at P18 per kilo, and up to P24 per kilo for dry palay. This compares with the P13.50 to P18.00 per kilo buying price of private traders, against an estimated production cost of P12 to P14 per kilo. The rice shipments are then sent to local governments and Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita (KADIWA) Centers of the DA to be sold to indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities at P20 per kilo. 'This subsidized rice program is for every Filipino family striving to put food on the table—and for every farmer who rises before dawn, rain or shine, to feed the nation. Thank you. You are the heartbeat of this program, and the reason it has meaning,' Tiu Laurel said. Tiu Laurel in January said the NFA is set to buy at least 300,000 metric tons of rice this year, with optimism that the country will hit a record for palay production. Under its mandate, the NFA is tasked to maintain sufficient rice buffer stocks to be sourced mainly from local farmers. The agency, for its part, said it is also mandated to keep and dispose of 99.9% of stocks in good and consumable condition. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
