Manila: The National Food Authority (NFA) has committed to purchasing palay, or unhusked rice, from local farmers, as announced by Malaca±ang. This pledge comes amidst concerns that the NFA has been unable to buy larger quantities of palay due to budget constraints.

According to Philippines News Agency, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed these concerns during a Palace press briefing. She explained that the NFA is prepared to expand its rice storage capacity to accommodate farmers looking to sell their palay. Castro emphasized that farmers need to queue up due to the current peak season, and priority will be given to those who have registered earlier.

Castro further mentioned that if current warehouse space proves insufficient, the NFA is ready to rent additional storage facilities. She reassured farmers that the NFA will purchase their palay if they can wait for their turn in the queue.

The buying price for fresh or wet palay has been set by the NFA at PHP19 per kilogram in regions such as Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon, while the price is PHP18 per kilogram for other parts of the country. For clean and dry palay, the NFA will pay PHP24 per kilogram.

Moreover, Castro advised farmers to collaborate with local government units for direct selling opportunities to the NFA. To support these efforts, the Department of Agriculture has allocated an additional PHP10 billion for the rehabilitation of NFA warehouses and the procurement of palay.