Rice inventory
THE National Food Authority (NFA) has attained 95 percent of its inventory goal this year, drawing applause from the public.
The agency’s inventory reached over five million 50-kilogram bags of milled rice, according to NFA acting Administrator Larry Lacson.
The NFA aims to maintain an inventory equivalent to 300,000 metric tons of milled rice to enable it to meet the needs of disaster victims.
“We have instructed our employees in the field to immediately activate our operations centers in areas affected by floods, typhoons and other emergencies,” said Lacson.
Likewise, NFA personnel are under instructions to open their hotlines to fast-track coordination “with our relief institutions.” he said.
At the same time, Lacson said NFA is always open to meet the needs of the people.
“Tama naman ‘yan dahil walang nakakaalam kung kailan magkakaroon ng national emergency,” according to a barangay official.
“Kung minsan ay bigla na lang nagkakaroon ng pagbaha sa isang lugar,” he said, adding “iba na ‘yong laging handa ang gobyerno.”
The NFA is mandated to maintain an optimal level of rice buffer stock to be sourced exclusively from local farmers.
Buying palay from local farmers is a move in the right direction.
