News Details

NFA Bicol Assures Steady Supply for PHP20/kg Rice Under BBM Program

NPO

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June 17, 2025

LEGAZPI CITY – The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol has assured the public that it has sufficient rice buffer stocks to sustain the PHP20 per kilogram Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) rice program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a media interview on June 17, NFA-5 Assistant Regional Manager Julie Llenaresas reported that the agency has more than 800,000 sacks of palay (unhusked rice) stored across its warehouses in the region.

“We have adequate buffer stocks because we have purchased enough palay from our local farmers. The public should know we can support the PHP20/kg rice program,” Llenaresas affirmed.

Current Inventory and Outlook. As of this report, NFA Bicol holds:

·         829,482 sacks of palay (sufficient for one year)

·         65,304 sacks of milled local rice

With ongoing harvests and continuing palay procurement, supply levels are expected to further increase. “It’s encouraging to see that almost all farmers are now selling their harvest to NFA. We are sourcing BBM rice locally, which benefits both farmers and consumers,” Llenaresas added. In the region, the buying price is:

·         PHP24/kg for dry palay

·         PHP18/kg for wet palay

Farmers Benefit Too. The BBM rice program is not only aimed at providing affordable rice to the public, but also at increasing local farmers' income by offering stable procurement and pricing support.

“This is what the government aims to do: make agricultural products affordable and accessible to the public, while helping farmers earn more,” Llenaresas emphasized.

 Support from DA-Bicol. In a separate statement, DA-Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla said the agency continues to provide farmers with high-quality seeds and fertilizer subsidies to help them improve yields.

“We’re committed to ensuring consistent harvests and a stable supply of BBM rice from NFA,” Tornilla said. He added that the BBM rice program is designed to be sustainable, benefiting both the vulnerable sectors through affordable rice and farmers through assured market access and government support.

“Even in the event of disasters or calamities, we are confident in our preparedness and stockpiles,” Tornilla concluded.

NPO News Team!

PNA - Press Released.