Manila: The National Food Authority (NFA) on Tuesday assured a sufficient supply of rice stocks from local producers to sustain the Marcos administration's PHP20 per kilogram rice program under the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier vowed to sustain government subsidies for the availability of cheaper rice options until 2028.
According to Philippines News Agency, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson stated in a Viber message that approximately 40,000 metric tons of rice stocks are available in NFA warehouses across the country. Lacson emphasized that the current supply is adequate for zero to three months for the PHP20 rice nationwide, with around 800,000 (50-kilogram) bags available for this price. This volume covers both aging but good-quality rice and non-aging rice.
In terms of funding for palay (unhusked rice) procurement, the NFA reiterated having an adequate budget to purchase local rice from Filipino farmers. Intensified procurement is planned amid the wet harvest season to secure the country's 15-day national rice buffer stock, as well as help sustain the administration's BBM Na. Lacson mentioned that the NFA has about PHP12 billion in funds for 2026, including carry-over from the 2025 national budget.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) had previously pledged to provide a supplementary budget to the grains agency to enhance its palay procurement. The NFA is set to purchase fresh and wet palay at PHP 21 per kilo, higher than the previous minimum buying price of PHP17 per kilo.
