NFA ensures ample supply for P20/kg rice program

LEGAZPI CITY — The National Food Authority in Bicol (NFA-5) has assured the public of sufficient rice supply to sustain the P20 per kilogram (kg) rice program under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! (BBM Na!) initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In an interview on Tuesday, NFA-5 assistant regional manager Julie Llenaresas said over 800,000 sacks of palay (unmilled rice) are currently stored in various warehouses across the region.

"We have adequate buffer stocks because we have purchased enough palay from our local farmers," said Llenaresas.

SUFFICIENT STOCK National Food Authority (NFA) personnel in Albay conduct a physical inventory of rice stocks in a warehouse in this undated photo. The agency on June 17, 2025, assured that there is enough buffer stock to supply the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! rice program. PHOTO FROM NFA ALBAY FACEBOOK PAGE VIA PNA

"The public should know we have enough supplies for the P20/kg rice program. We can support this initiative," she added.

Llenaresas also said rice supply is expected to increase as farmers are selling their harvest to the agency.

"Those 829,482 sacks of palay will last for one year, with additional supplies depending on whether any calamities occur. We are still buying palay from our local farmers, and it's encouraging to see many selling their products to us," she said.

Aside from the palay inventory, NFA Bicol has a local rice inventory of 65,304 sacks.

In Bicol, the buying price for dry palay is P24/kg while wet palay is at P18/kg.

"It's great that almost all farmers are now selling their harvest to us, as we source the BBM rice program locally," Llenaresas said.

She said the BBM Na! rice program benefits not only consumers and vulnerable sectors but also the farmers.

"This is what the government aims to do: help farmers increase their income while providing affordable, accessible and freshly harvested agricultural products to the public," she added.

In a separate interview, DA-Bicol regional executive director Rodel Tornilla confirmed that they continue to provide agricultural inputs to ensure farmers achieve better, high-quality harvests.

"We are supplying them with high-quality seeds and fertilizer subsidies to guarantee a good harvest and a steady supply of Benteng Bigas from the NFA," he said.

Tornilla also assured that there is enough rice supply in case any disasters or calamities occur.

He added the BBM rice program is a sustainable project that will benefit not only vulnerable sectors in the region but also the farmers who have direct buyers for their produce.