PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The National Food Authority (NFA) said Palawan has enough rice supply to meet the daily consumption requirement of locals with its almost 28,000-bag inventory.

During Kapihan sa PIA Palawan on Thursday, Assistant Branch Manager Julius Lopez said that the current inventory can cover the daily consumption demand of 9,300 bags and last for three days. The supplies coming from commercial and household sources can also help meet the need, he added.

“Ang aming buffer stock ay for calamities and emergencies, sinu-supply namin sa ating relief agencies, DSWD, and LGUs. Ina-assure namin na nasa good quality, fit for human consumption dahil mayroon kaming technical personnel. Bago namin ilabas ‘yan, tinitingnan ang quality,” he said.

The rice bags are stored in warehouses located in Puerto Princesa, Narra, and Brooke’s Point.

The NFA's mandate under RA 8178, or rice tariffication law, is limited to maintaining a sufficient rice buffer stock for emergency situations and disasters. It no longer functions in importation, regulatory, and licensing since 2019.

The agency sources supplies from local farmers at P19 with a P4 buffer stocking incentive for clean dry, which took effect on September 20. It requires 14 percent and below moisture content for buying clean and dry unhusked rice or palay.

“Ang aming bigas ay pwede siya i-store sa more than six months, iyon ay ina-administer ng aming personnel, quality assurance, meron tayong ina-apply na gamut para ma-prolong din ang storage life. Pagdating sa palay, more than nine months ay kaya natin i-store ‘yan,” he said.

According to recent purchases, Narra and Bataraza support the largest volume in current buffer stock inventory. NFA also strengthens its continuous coordination with farmers dubbed ‘Ugnayan’ to encourage them to sell a portion of their harvest to the agency. (RG/PIA Mimaropa - Palawan)