NFA increases rice buffer stock to 10-day level, prepares for PHP20-per-kilo rice program

The National Food Authority (NFA) reported a significant increase in its rice buffer stock, now good for 10 days, due to the peak summer harvest.

As of April 24, the NFA's total inventory includes 10.1 million bags of unmilled rice and 1.2 million bags of milled rice, equivalent to 7.56 million 50-kilo bags of milled rice, the highest level since late 2020.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the NFA to increase its buffer stock in support of local farmers and to ensure a sufficient rice supply in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has instructed the NFA to begin transferring stocks to the Visayas in preparation for the PHP20-per-kilo rice program, which aims to provide affordable rice to financially struggling Filipinos while also helping clear space in NFA warehouses to purchase more palay at higher prices.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has secured clearance from the Commission on Elections for the program, and the NFA still has P12 billion available to buy palay during the summer harvest season.