By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“Hindi na po kailangang magpuyat, pumila nang matagal—sapat po ang supply, makakabili po tayo.”
Amid mounting concerns regarding the stability of the domestic food supply brought about by rising oil prices triggered by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the National Food Authority (NFA) reassured the citizenry of sufficient stocks of rice to cover Filipinos’ needs.
In an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program on Wednesday, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said that 2 million sacks remain at NFA warehouses, which he cites as sufficient for public consumption and use in government programs.
Lacson outlined the process of balancing supply and demand for NFA rice, “On a daily basis, tinitingnan natin yan—that is why yung malalaking production na lugar like Region 1, 2, 3 and 4, sila yung nag-aaugment. [Mula] NCR hanggang Cebu, nag-aaugment sila.”
He added further, noting the steps undertaken to avoid overstocking and ensure that the agency dispenses quality staple grain to consumers and beneficiaries, “Unang una, mayroon tayong regular na auction para at least yung mga nag-aage, mabebenta natin thru auction. Pangalawa, siyempre, pinapalakas ng DA yung Benteng Bigas, Meron Na, so that magkaroon ng rotation yung ating mga sacks.”
The NFA chief likewise expedited the milling of sacks at rice processing facilities to cope with the demand for the government’s flagship “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” program, which sells rice to vulnerable sectors across the country.
Lacson moreover shared that the agency is doubling down on its digitalization program to streamline and improve the efficiency of its operations, which began in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2028.
He concluded, sharing the steps undertaken by the agency to ensure proper utilization of available stocks of rice, “Lagi naman nating tinitingan na ang stocks natin ay hindi lamang pambenteng bigas, kundi para din yan for calamities and emergencies. So we’re constantly monitoring weather disturbances and all para alam din natin kung ano ang pwedeng makaapekto. Even ang impending volcanic eruptions like sa Mayon and all, minomonitor naman natin yan.
We don’t let our stocks na talagang mabenta lahat sa Benteng Bigas nang mabilis, kung saan magkakaroon naman tayo ng problema for calamities and emergency response. It’s part of our mandate, it’s part of our strategy na [mabalanse] ito.”
jpv
