Photo courtesy | Department of Agriculture
PUERTO PRINCESA—Tinuran ni National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Larry R. Lacson ang mga bagong hamon na kakaharapin ng ahensya ngayong taong 2025 gaya ng hamon sa pagpapalabas ng stock ng bigas mula sa mga bodega ng ahensiya nitong nakaraang Lunes, Enero 6.
“Only after the NFA issued its rice stocks from its warehouses could the agency procure from the local farmers. We have limited releases to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and now that the buffer stock is increased to fifteen days, there is a bigger challenge in terms of warehousing,” ani Lacson.
“With this, I already instructed the operations team to hand in the full quantity capacity of our warehouses to accommodate the 15-day buffer stock. This matter was discussed with the GCG (Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations). I believe that they (GCG) appreciate our explanations on this matter,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.
Ayon pa kay Lacson, nitong Disyembre 30, nakaraang taon, ay inaprubahan ang General Appropriations Act (GAA) ngunit ang budget para sa NFA ay siyam (9) na bilyong piso pa rin tulad noong nakaraang taon sa kabila ng tumaas na target para sa buffer stocking.
Sinabi rin ni Lacson na kumpiyansa siya na maitutuloy ng ahensya ang pinaigting na pagbili nito sa buong bansa upang higit na matulungan ang mga stakeholder. Aniya pa, nakamit na umano ng ahensya ang siyamnapu’t limang porsyento (95%) ng kanilang procurement target na 300,000 metric tons noong taong 2024.
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