By: Jordeene B. Lagare

MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) has temporarily increased its buying price for locally produced palay, or unmilled rice, to provide relief to rice farmers still grappling with soaring fuel prices.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the temporary increase in buying prices applies to select areas nationwide.

“This is to replenish stocks and support our farmers in the face of higher fuel prices,” Lacson said in a Viber message on Tuesday.

The NFA is implementing the Price Range Scheme (Pricers), a flexible mechanism for buying palay at more competitive prices. Adjusted weekly, buying prices are set at P17 per kilo for fresh or wet palay and P21 per kilo for dry palay.

Key areas

However, the NFA has raised the buying price for palay in parts of the archipelago starting this week.

In Central Luzon, dubbed the “rice granary of the Philippines,” the NFA announced that the maximum buying price for clean and dry palay is P30 per kilo for its Bulacan and Nueva Ecija branches from April 13 to April 19.

Effective April 13, the P30-per-kilo buying price also applies to palay procured in Sorsogon in Bicol; Dumalag and Balete in Capiz; Calape and Mabini in Bohol; and Guihulngan City and Canlaon in Negros Oriental.

The NFA will also purchase palay at P30 per kilo in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental.

According to the grains agency, it also raised palay buying prices in Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Marbel/South Cotabato, General Santos City, Sarangani, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao.

The NFA’s interim buying price is 16.6-percent higher than the farm-gate price of P25.72 per kilo for dry palay recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The NFA is mandated by the rice tariffication law to maintain an optimal rice inventory level, sourced solely from local farmers, for distribution during emergencies or calamities and to sustain the government’s disaster relief program. /cb

Published Date: April 15, 2026