Ilocos norte: The National Food Authority (NFA) in Ilocos Norte announced on Tuesday that it has begun purchasing palay (unhusked rice) from local farmers at PHP29 per kilogram. NFA-Ilocos Norte provincial manager Jonathan Corpuz stated that the ongoing procurement of palay aims to ensure a sufficient supply in the locality and provide farmers with an accessible market for their crops.
According to Philippines News Agency, for this year, the NFA is targeting to purchase 180,000 bags of palay in Ilocos Norte, 240 bags in Ilocos Sur, and 80,000 bags in Abra. The buying price for palay varies by province, based on the farm-gate price and as approved by the Central Office. Starting April 13, the NFA has begun purchasing clean and dry palay from farmers in Ilocos Norte at PHP29 per kilogram, in Ilocos Sur at PHP28 per kilogram, and in Abra at PHP27 per kilogram.
Farmers selling their palay to any NFA buying station are advised to bring their "basic sectors in agriculture" stubs for verification and as proof of their registration in the system. The NFA, an agency attached to the Office of the President, is mandated to ensure national food security and stabilize the supply and prices of staple cereals at both farm and consumer levels. The agency buys palay from farmers not only to stabilize farmgate prices but also to increase its stockpile.
Meanwhile, the NFA Ilocos Norte has reported a sufficient stockpile of rice in its warehouses with more than 30,000 bags allocated for the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) program and around 30,000 bags ready for dispatch in case of calamity. "We have enough supply to last until September if the average sales of FTI (Food Terminal Inc.) continue. By October, we will have our next harvest," Corpuz said. The FTI is under the Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for carrying out the BBM rice program. Under the program, FTI sells rice procured from the NFA at PHP20 per kilo to target beneficiaries, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members.
