Cagayan de oro: The National Food Authority (NFA) 10 in Northern Mindanao has announced the distribution of 32,400 sacks of well-milled rice in the region since the start of the year. This initiative is part of the government's program to provide rice at PHP20 per kilogram, aiming to make this staple food more affordable for residents.

According to Philippines News Agency, NFA-10 Manager Miguel Tecson discussed the progress of the distribution from January to March 16, highlighting it as a component of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s broader initiative to deliver affordable rice to beneficiaries across Northern Mindanao. Tecson noted that each redemption center serves between 400 to 500 beneficiaries daily. In contrast, Camiguin province records a lower turnout, with approximately 40 beneficiaries per day, which aligns with its smaller population size.

The distribution is managed through five redemption centers located at NFA field offices in Barangay Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City; Ozamiz City; Lala, Lanao del Norte; Maramag, Bukidnon; and Mambajao, Camiguin province. Misamis Occidental received the highest allocation with 15,000 bags, followed by Misamis Oriental with 10,000 bags, as part of the local government unit-sponsored program.

Despite the current distribution efforts, Tecson highlighted that the region holds about 280,000 bags of rice in stock. However, with an average daily consumption rate of 34,000 bags, the supply is projected to last only eight more days. He assured that additional supplies are anticipated through the Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI), which aims to maintain the program's sustainability until the third quarter of the year.