Manila: The National Food Authority (NFA) on Thursday imposed stricter rules on its palay (unhusked rice) procurement to ensure transparency and to help more local farmers. This came after the NFA received reports that some 'traders' are benefiting from the NFA's palay procurement instead of farmers.

According to Philippines News Agency, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, during a Zoom interview, stated that the new rules include provisions that promote transparency. He emphasized that the main goal is to increase transparency in palay procurement to address concerns that traders are the ones benefiting from the system.

Under the new buying rules, only farmers registered in the government's official farmers' registry or those with a certificate from the local government can sell palay to the NFA. Each farmer is limited to selling 100 50-kilogram bags per harvest season or 200 bags annually, irrespective of registered hectarage.

Lacson urged cooperation among farmers, highlighting the need to help struggling farmers increase their beneficiaries. He noted that even if farmers sell half their harvest at PHP24 and the other half at PHP16, they would still average PHP20 per kilo, which is higher than the PHP14 per kilogram cost of production.

Other measures include posting farmers' lists and the volume of palay sold on NFA bulletin boards and the agency's official Facebook page, with the farmers' consent, to ensure transparency. A 'special table' will be set up in NFA warehouses for farmer groups or representatives to observe the buying process.

NFA personnel will also verify if local farmers have stored their harvests before delivering them to NFA warehouses. The palay buying process will be closely monitored, with daily updates on delivery details, including farmers' names, vehicle plate numbers, and time of arrival.

Lacson warned that traders and NFA personnel found violating the rules would face sanctions. Farmers or cooperatives proven to be acting as traders will be blacklisted from future transactions with the NFA. Violating NFA personnel may face suspension or dismissal from service.