NFA assures P20-per-kilo rice program to last until 2028

Local

THE National Food Authority (NFA) is firmly committed to sustaining the P20-per-kilo rice program well beyond its initial pilot phase.

This was declared by NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, who visited the NFA warehouse in Cebu on Friday, May 23.

Lacson highlighted that the program is designed with sustainability at its core, backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to maintain the initiative until 2028.

The program, which began its pilot rollout on May 1 across the Visayas regions and Negros Island, seeks to provide affordable rice to Filipino families while carefully managing the government’s rice stocks.

Lacson explained that the current supply in Cebu, which stands at around 68,600 sacks, is sourced from several shipments.

The 35,000 sacks came from Region 4, 20,000 sacks from Region 6, 13,600 sacks from Regions 8, 9, and 10 through container and truck deliveries.

These stocks serve multiple purposes, from fulfilling the P20 rice program to supplying social welfare food packs and supporting city jails and BJMP facilities with aging rice stocks.

Lacson emphasized that the NFA operates a strict “first in, first out” inventory system.

This method ensures rice is rotated efficiently to prevent spoilage and maximize consumption before expiration.

To guarantee quality, rice undergoes meticulous manual inspection by NFA staff at the warehouse, who physically check, smell, and feel the grains, complemented by laboratory testing.

Moreover, all rice stocks undergo fumigation for at least seven days to eradicate live insects and pests, a routine practice to maintain the integrity of stored grains.

Addressing concerns about rice quality, Lacson candidly acknowledged that while the rice delivered under the program varies in quality, all stocks meet established parameters to be deemed safe for human consumption.

“It is a mix of qualities, but all are fit for human consumption within NFA standards,” he said.

Lacson added that, to date, there have been no reported cases of rice found unfit for consumption in the Cebu warehouse.

He explained the allocation process for the stocks based on storage duration, including rice stored zero to three months is prioritized for the P20-per-kilo rice program and disaster relief family food packs distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Rice aged three to six months is mostly rationed to city jails and BJMP facilities, while rice stored for more than six months undergoes additional quality checks before being allocated to persons deprived of liberty.

Lacson also shared insights into the NFA’s procurement practices, which involve purchasing all palay offered by farmers regardless of variety or grain appearance.

The NFA does not select rice based on “premium” quality or color but assures that all rice undergoes stringent quality controls to meet safety and consumption standards.

Highlighting the program’s long-term outlook, Lacson said current rice stocks are projected to sustain the initiative until December 2025, with the possibility of extending into 2026.

He revealed that a comprehensive plan is already in the works for 2026 and beyond, involving detailed budgeting, logistics planning, and infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing program efficiency and reach.

He reiterated that the President’s vision extends the program’s lifespan until 2028, ensuring its sustainability as a key component of the government’s food security framework.

Lacson acknowledged logistical challenges, such as limited rice storage facilities in some Kadiwa stores and local government units.

To address this, the NFA is deploying mobile delivery trucks to facilitate faster and more efficient distribution of rice supplies, ensuring the program reaches intended beneficiaries promptly without compromising rice quality.

In terms of recent rice withdrawals, the NFA-7 regional office in Banilad, Cebu City, recorded a scheduled withdrawal of 1,234 sacks yesterday.

Other localities also received rice supplies: Pinamungajan with 200 sacks, Medellin 79, Catmon 130, Tabogon 325, Talisay 400, and San Fernando 100.

This inspection followed the April 23 meeting at the Cebu Provincial Capitol where President Marcos, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and governors from Regions 6, 7, and 8 convened to finalize details of the pilot rollout.

The program allows each beneficiary family to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice weekly at the subsidized rate, with the national government and local units sharing the cost to bridge the gap from the market price, currently around P33 per kilo.(MyTVCebu)