NFA marks 51st anniversary, told to maintain rice buffer stocks
NFA rice. INQUIRER FILE / RAFFY LERMA
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday told the National Food Authority (NFA) that it must continue its mandate of ensuring enough rice buffer stock in the country.
In a message delivered by Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban at the NFA’s 51st Anniversary celebration, Marcos lauded the agency’s efforts to ensure food security.
“May this 51st-anniversary celebration reinvigorate the drive to continue fulfilling the NFA’s mandate of maintaining sufficient rice buffer stock sourced from our local farmers. Even in the midst of challenges that grapple our agriculture sector, you have remained steadfast in maintaining a buffer stock of rice and palay, especially during times of emergencies and calamities,” said Marcos.
Marcos cited the ceremonial signing of the NFA’s credit line with the Landbank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines as a huge leap forward.
He added that the NFA modernization program will have positive effects.
“The recent months have truly been challenging. However, we continue to find the best solutions to the issues that we face without compromising the needs of our farmers and retailers,” said Marcos.
The NFA had recently raised the buying price of palay in an effort to improve farmers’ income given the erratic rice prices in the market.
