The National Food Authority (NFA) has partnered with 15 rice mills in Soccsksargen under an emergency program to strengthen food security and free up warehouse space to buy palay from about 1,100 farmers in Central Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Tuesday.
Valued at P48.5 million, the initiative covers over 215,000 bags (50kg each) of palay and is set to produce roughly 133,251 bags of rice for government buffer stocks. It supports the government’s P20 per kg rice program and aims to keep buying farmers’ harvests at fair prices, especially when market conditions are tough. Contracts went to six mills in North Cotabato, six in Sultan Kudarat, and three in South Cotabato. Officials said the model will be expanded to other regions to help more local producers. Soccsksargen is a key rice area, producing 1.5 million metric tons of palay yearly—40 percent from North Cotabato alone.
Meanwhile, DA confirmed the P50 per kg price cap on imported premium 5 percent broken rice is being strictly enforced with help from trade, police, and local government units. Compliance among retailers in the National Capital Region has risen to 63 percent, from lower levels earlier. The affordable P20 per kg rice is now available at 787 sites nationwide. Latest price checks show most rice varieties—local and imported—are selling near or below the capped rates as of May 26.
