SANTIAGO CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Masagana Agri-Food Infrastructure Modernization (MAFIM) program, has completed the rehabilitation of 7 out of 10 National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses across Region II—a key step in strengthening the country’s grain storage and food security system.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., who also chairs the NFA Council, said the rehabilitation aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s broader agenda to modernize agricultural infrastructure and reinforce the nation’s food buffer stock capabilities.
“This initiative reflects the Marcos administration’s commitment to improving post-harvest systems, minimizing grain losses, and ensuring that Filipino rice farmers receive fair value for their palay through more efficient procurement by the NFA,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.
While the improvements did not expand storage capacity, they focused on upgrading the safety, structural integrity, and operational efficiency of warehouses to meet modern storage standards. The enhancements are crucial in preserving rice quality and extending the shelf life of buffer stock.
In Isabela, three rehabilitated warehouses—in Burgos, Roxas, and Tumauini—can collectively store up to 148,000 50-kilo bags of rice. Facilities in Bagabag and Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya hold a total of 160,620 bags, while the Alfonso Lista and Lagawe warehouses in Ifugao can accommodate 28,880 bags combined.
Key upgrades include the replacement of deteriorated roofs, wall reinforcements, new ventilation systems, stronger flooring, and improved pest control mechanisms. These improvements ensure safer, more resilient storage, especially vital during calamities or supply disruptions.
“These rehabilitations are not just about infrastructure—they are about readiness,” said NFA Administrator Larry Lacson. “Our improved warehouses are now better equipped to safeguard rice stocks and ensure rapid deployment during emergencies.”
Region II, one of the country’s top rice-producing areas, was prioritized under the DA’s three-year NFA modernization roadmap to enhance buffer stocking and streamline procurement logistics.
“Also to accomodate more palay from farmers who have waited in line for NFA to buy their harvest,” Lacson added.
Local farmers and community leaders have welcomed the initiative, particularly amid falling palay prices, which recently dropped to as low as P10.00 per kilo. For many farmers, the upgraded warehouses symbolize renewed government support and a promise of more equitable, timely transactions during harvest. As the upcoming harvest season nears, the newly rehabilitated facilities are expected to reduce post-harvest losses, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and play a crucial role in building a more robust and responsive food supply chain.
As of 13 June, NFA Isabela has 437,585 bags of rice as a buffer, enough to cover consumption for 34 days. The average yield in Isabela is 41 percent higher than the national average at 5.8 metric tons per hectare.
