The National Food Authority (NFA) is asking the government to let it sell rice directly to the public, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Currently, the agency must go through Food Terminal Inc. and the Department of Agriculture before its rice stocks can reach consumers.
NFA administrator Larry Lacson said direct sales would speed up distribution and help clear old stocks. The agency has 321 warehouses nationwide that could be used for this purpose. If approved, NFA rice could be sold at ₱33 per kilogram, in addition to the government’s existing ₱20 per kilogram program for vulnerable sectors.
Lacson also proposed emergency purchases of trucks and faster rice milling, which are usually slowed by public bidding processes.
Despite concerns over the Middle East conflict, NFA said the country’s overall rice supply—including private stocks—is sufficient for 55 days. NFA’s own stocks can cover 10.3 days, with more harvests coming soon.
As of March 17, rice prices in Metro Manila were:
Local well-milled rice: ₱47.27/kg
Local regular milled rice: ₱41.65/kg
Imported well-milled rice: ₱47.63/kg
Imported regular milled rice: ₱42.91–₱42.91/kg
Special imported rice: ₱60.71/kg
Premium imported rice: ₱58.19/kg
Special local rice: ₱59.61/kg
Premium local rice: ₱54.05/kg
