THE National Food Authority (NFA) Pangasinan branch has 19,000 bags of rice as of Aug. 2, 2023 ready for distribution to calamity-affected areas in the province, according to Asst. Branch Manager Virgie Mariano.

Mariano said their buffer stocking is for calamity purposes for needy areas especially those placed under state of calamity.

Under the law, the available stock at all times should be good for at least 15 days, she said.

Asked if the current stock is enough, she said it depends on the requirements of the local government units.

Dagupan, which was placed under state of calamity since July 28, has a pending request. The NFA is waiting for its check payment prior to its release as of press time.

The NFA sells rice at P25/per kilogram.

In case they run out of stocks, they can ask augmentation buffer stocks from NFA branches outside Pangasinan.

The province only has one NFA branch based in Binalonan town but they have six warehouses located in Mangatarem, Alaminos City, Lingayen, Binalonan, Rosales and San Quintin.

Because of the flooding caused by Typhoon ‘Egay’, Mariano said they expect palay harvest to be affected in the province. The harvest for the current main cropping season is expected from the last week of August to December.

The NFA is no longer selling rice to retailers in the markets and is presently focused only on buffer stocking for calamity purposes through procurement and distribution following the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law in 2020. (Eva Visperas)

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