NFA purchases palay in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) has started buying storm-damaged palay (SDP) in regions that were severely affected by recent typhoons Karen and Lawin.

The agency has authorized its field offices in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon to procure SDP from individual and farmers’ groups affected by the recent typhoons.

NFA officer-in-charge Tomas Escarez said the agency continues to procure palay especially in surplus provinces at government support price of P17 per kilogram plus a maximum of P0.70 per kg incentive under its regular procurement program.

“The base price for the procurement of SDP is P11 per kg, however it will vary depending on the quality specifications such as moisture content, purity, discoloured and damaged grains. SDP with more than 80 percent damaged and discoloured kernels shall no longer be bought,” he added.

Funds to be used in the procurement of SDP will come from the calamity fund or the President’s Social Fund.

But Escarez assured affected farmers that the NFA had the necessary funds to buy their SDP using the food agency’s regular cereal procurement fund (CPF) as calamity funds have yet to be remitted by the national government.

NFA has allotted P2.3 billion as part of the palay-buying nationwide as the harvest season begins.

The agency is looking at buying 2.6 million bags of palay from local farmers nationwide until the end of the year.

Escarez has also directed its field offices to mobilize procurement teams, prepare the necessary logistical requirements and coordinate with the local government units and farmer organizations in identifying priority areas for the procurement of SDP.

Meanwhile, as of Oct. 24, the NFA had released a total of 25,075 bags of rice to relief agencies and LGUs for distribution to affected families hit by the typhoon.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the amount of damage to agriculture from Typhoon Lawin has reached P10.2 billion.