Eastern Visayas: At least 162,877 bags of rice are ready for release by the National Food Authority (NFA) in Eastern Visayas to fulfill the promise of a PHP20 per kilogram price of staple food by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, NFA Acting Deputy Administrator John Robert Hermano said they are preparing the release of cheaper rice in partnership with local government units and Food Terminal Incorporated. "We have stocks, and we are currently milling in our warehouses in Leyte and Samar to meet the demand of our local government units," Hermano, who was in Leyte to lead the groundbreaking of a modern warehouse in Alangalang town, said.

He stated that they are capable of releasing more rice with a higher volume of palay (unhusked rice) procured from local farmers utilizing a higher budget from the central government. "In the past, we only procured 80,000 bags in one cropping season, but for this year alone, we have already bought about 250,000 bags from our local farmers here in the region," Hermano added.

NFA buys palay at PHP23 per kilogram. It takes approximately two kilos of palay to produce one kilo of rice. The milling and other costs are subsidized by the national government.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced Wednesday that rice will be sold to indigent families in the Visayas at PHP20 per kilo. The pilot launch of the sale was a result of Marcos' closed-door meeting with 12 governors in the region. Tiu Laurel mentioned that each family will be able to purchase up to 40 kg per month or 10 kg per week.