Quezon city: The National Food Authority (NFA) has released over 100,000 bags of rice to communities hit by Typhoon Tino, while maintaining a healthy national buffer stock. In a press briefing in Quezon City on Friday, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson reported that relief operations prioritized Central Visayas (Region 7) and Camarines Sur, with additional distributions reaching the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Western Visayas.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson stated that the largest releases were in Region 7 due to consecutive needs, with significant distributions also in parts of Camarines Sur, which were directly impacted by the typhoon. Despite some damage to NFA warehouses in Bagabag and Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya, and the office in San Juan, La Union, Lacson assured that only a few hundred bags were affected, as rice stocks were covered with tarpaulins for protection.

Lacson confirmed that about three facilities sustained damage, but the rice stocks remained mostly unaffected, with only approximately 300 bags impacted. These were dried to prevent spoilage. Despite ongoing calamities and the government's 'Benteng Bigas Meron Na' program, NFA's total inventory has increased to 460,000 metric tons, reflecting a net gain of 7,000 metric tons.

He highlighted that palay-buying has reached 94 percent of the agency's target, with purchases exceeding rice releases, ensuring a robust buffer stock. Lacson noted that fresh palay prices in Bukidnon have risen, reflecting government measures' impact, such as the temporary import ban and setting of floor prices for palay. NFA currently holds roughly 4 percent of the country's total palay production, with plans to increase its share to 5 percent once remaining purchases are completed.