Manila: The National Food Authority (NFA) in Eastern Visayas is preparing for the arrival of 20,000 bags of rice from neighboring regions to support the PHP20 per kilo rice initiative in the area.

According to Philippines News Agency, NFA regional manager May Sara Sabarre confirmed that NFA offices in the Caraga and Bicol regions have committed to reallocating rice stocks to Eastern Visayas. This initiative aligns with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.'s directive to distribute rice across various parts of the Visayas.

During a recent interview, Sabarre mentioned that Caraga and Bicol regions have each allocated 10,000 bags for Eastern Visayas. However, there is no confirmation from Region 4 regarding their contribution, as the exact requirements are yet to be finalized. The program's rollout, set for May 1, follows a closed-door meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and 12 Visayas governors on April 23.

Under this initiative, indigent families can purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per week at PHP20 per kilo, totaling a maximum of 40 kilos per month. The Visayas was selected for the program's pilot due to its poverty rate, which is higher than the national average of 10.9 percent. In Eastern Visayas, the poverty incidence stands at 20.3 percent.

The rice from other regions will supplement the 165,697 bags currently stored across 19 NFA warehouses in Eastern Visayas' six provinces. Sabarre noted that the region has already procured 210,000 bags of palay this year, significantly surpassing their previous annual maximum of 80,000 bags. This increase is attributed to a record-breaking harvest during the first cropping season, with the second cropping still ongoing.

Sabarre assured that the rice sold under the PHP20 per kilo program will be of good quality, having been harvested in the past two months.