LAOAG CITY – The National Food Authority (NFA) in Ilocos Norte has started purchasing palay (unhusked rice) from local farmers at a price of up to PHP29 per kilogram, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Provincial manager Jonathan Corpuz said the procurement initiative is aimed at maintaining adequate rice supply in the province while ensuring farmers have a reliable market for their harvest.
For 2026, the NFA targets to procure around 180,000 bags of palay in Ilocos Norte, 240 bags in Ilocos Sur, and 80,000 bags in Abra.
Corpuz explained that buying prices differ per province depending on prevailing farm-gate prices and approval from the NFA Central Office. As of April 13, procurement rates are set at PHP29/kg in Ilocos Norte, PHP28/kg in Ilocos Sur, and PHP27/kg in Abra for clean and dry palay.
Farmers intending to sell to NFA buying stations must present their “basic sectors in agriculture” stubs, which serve as proof of registration for verification.
The NFA, attached to the Office of the President, is mandated to safeguard national food security and stabilize the supply and prices of staple grains. Its palay procurement also helps build buffer stocks.
Meanwhile, NFA Ilocos Norte reported that its warehouses currently hold more than 30,000 bags allocated for the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) program, with an additional 30,000 bags ready for emergency distribution.
Corpuz noted that current inventory levels are sufficient to meet demand until September, assuming steady sales through the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). The next harvest season is expected by October.
FTI, under the Department of Agriculture, implements the BBM rice program, which sells NFA-sourced rice at PHP20 per kilo to priority groups such as senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
