The National Food Authority (NFA) in Ilocos Norte has assured the public of sufficient rice supply to sustain the PHP20 per kilogram rice program under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) initiative of the Department of Agriculture.
Engr. Jonathan Corpuz, manager of NFA Ilocos Norte, confirmed this in an interview on Tuesday as he reported over 41,000 sacks of well-milled rice and 36, 264 sacks of “palay” or unhusked rice currently stored in the province’s warehouses.
“We have sufficient buffer stocks, more than enough to supply the PHP20 per kilogram rice program,” Corpuz said.
As of March, NFA Ilocos Norte reported that about 1,200 sacks of rice had been distributed to Food Terminal Incorporated to carry out the BBM rice program.
Under the program, rice procured by FTI from the NFA is sold at PHP20 per kilo to target beneficiaries, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members.
“Thank you for this BBM rice program, which enables us to buy cheaper rice. The last time I bought rice at 5 kilos cost me PHP299,” Artemio Ruiz of Barangay 38-A Mangato here, said.
By Leilanie Adriano (PNA)