Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led the reopening of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) newly rehabilitated warehouse in this historic Bulacan town of Malolos on Monday, a crucial step in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to intensify palay procurement, uplift farmer incomes, and sustain the P20 per kilo rice program.
“This long-overdue upgrade of a 45-year-old facility ensures that our hardworking rice farmers—especially in Bulacan—are no longer at the mercy of opportunistic traders,” said Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the NFA Council, the policy-making body of the grains agency. “With this warehouse back in action, the NFA can continue buying palay at prices that truly reflect farmers’ efforts.”
The NFA purchases palay at P18 to P24 per kilo, well above the estimated production cost of P12 to P14. In contrast, some traders had taken advantage of the previous warehouse closure, offering farmers as little as P11.50 per kilo.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the P10.4 million rehabilitation, which began in December, included upgraded electrical systems, improved ventilation, and enhanced safety features.
Built in 1979, the 2,400-square-meter facility had only seen minor repairs over the decades and could now store up to 70,000 50-kilo bags of palay or rice.
“This project is vital to fulfilling the NFA’s mandate of securing a reliable rice buffer stock, especially in times of crisis,” Lacson said.
As of May 20, the NFA holds 8.24 million bags of rice—enough to feed the nation for 11 days. Under the amended Rice Tariffication Law, the target reserve has been raised to cover 15 days of national consumption.
NFA-sourced rice is now sold at P20 per kilo through KADIWA ng Pangulo stores and selected local government units, fulfilling a core promise of President Marcos’ 2022 campaign.
The president has directed the DA to sustain the subsidized initiative until the end of his term in June 2028. The warehouse reopening signals not just infrastructure renewal—but a reinvigorated commitment to farmers and food security.
