The National Food Authority is ramping up rice procurement, distribution, and facility upgrades as it marks 54 years, with Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. affirming the agency’s vital role in steady, affordable rice supply for Filipinos.
“The NFA has proven essential—not just in crises, but daily, so families get quality rice at fair prices,” he said. As of September 18, stocks stood at 278,444 metric tons, enough for about seven days. From January to September, the NFA bought 92,032 tons of palay at P27–P30 per kilo and distributed 207,648 tons, including 126,737 tons for the P20 rice program. Tiu Laurel cited Administrator Larry Lacson’s work supporting President Marcos Jr.’s Benteng Bigas Meron Na initiative.
The agency aided 14,292 farmers and 822 cooperative members, met 99 percent of emergency requests on time, and kept nearly all buffer stocks in good shape. It adjusted procurement rules to protect farmer earnings and earned 99.36 percent satisfaction. Modernization accelerated with the new Dumangas Grain Facility in Iloilo. P10.363 billion funds 36 new sites and 128 warehouse repairs, 100 already done. A ¥1.7-billion grant backs the Cauayan Rice Processing project. Auctioning older stocks raised P1.1 billion and freed space for new harvests. New trucks, vehicles, and improved packaging support operations.
Reforms also cover energy efficiency, data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital systems. “I commend the NFA for its innovation and modernization drive,” Tiu Laurel said, aiming for an agency that is financially sound, efficient, and responsive. Its anniversary theme—“Powering Food Security Through Innovation”—guides this mix of reliable stockholding and smarter, upgraded operations.
