The National Food Authority (NFA) has released over 100,000 bags of rice to communities hit by Typhoon Tino, while maintaining a healthy national buffer stock.

In a press briefing in Quezon City on Friday, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson reported that relief operations prioritized Central Visayas (Region 7) and Camarines Sur, with additional distributions reaching the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Western Visayas.

“Pinakamalaking releases natin sa Region 7 dahil magkakasunod-sunod doon. Malaki rin ang ating mga releases sa parte ng Camarines Sur na tinamaan ng bagyo (Our biggest releases are in Region 7 because they are consecutive there. We also have big releases in part of Camarines Sur that was hit by the typhoon),” he said.

Meanwhile, Lacson said some NFA warehouses were also damaged by the typhoon, but assured that only a few hundred bags were affected.

He said that damaged NFA warehouses include those in Bagabag and Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya, and the office in San Juan, La Union, which is located near the sea.

Lacson, however, noted that rice stocks have been covered with tarpaulins to protect them, even before the typhoon hit the areas.

“All in all, mga tatlong facility natin ang na-damage. But in terms of the stocks, maayos naman, meaning kakaunti lamang, a few hundred, siguro mga 300 bags lang affected, at naagapan namang patuyuin at hindi masayang (about three of our facilities were damaged. But in terms of the stocks, they are fine, meaning only a few hundred, maybe 300 bags were affected, and they were able to dry them to prevent spoilage),” he said.

Despite ongoing calamities and the government’s “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, Lacson said NFA’s total inventory has increased to 460,000 metric tons from its previous 453,000 metric tons.

He said this reflects a net gain of 7,000 metric tons.

Lacson said that palay-buying has reached 94 percent of the agency’s target, with purchases outpacing rice releases, ensuring the buffer stock remains healthy.

“Mas marami pa rin ang nabibili nating palay kesa sa lumalabas That’s why ang ating buffer stock ay healthy. Nasa 12.03 days to last ang ating buffer stock. And lahat ng ating mga warehouses merong (We still buy more rice than what goes out. That’s why our buffer stock is healthy. Our buffer stock will last for 12.03 days. And all our warehouses have) available rice for distribution,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Lacson also highlighted improvements in farmgate prices, noting that in Bukidnon, fresh palay prices have risen by about one peso per kilogram compared with the NFA’s purchase price.

He said this reflects the positive impact of government measures, including the temporary import ban, the setting of floor prices for palay, and the NFA’s intensified release of stocks through relief programs and the DA’s Benteng Bigas program.

Currently, Lacson said that NFA holds roughly 4 percent of the country’s total palay production, with plans to increase its share to 5 percent once remaining purchases are completed. (PNA)