By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The government continues to step up on interventions to ensuring food security and price stability through the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga and the National Food Authority (NFA), underscoring the benefits of the P20 per kilo rice program and palay procurement from local farmers.

During the recent media briefing on Palay Procurement and P20 per kilo of rice, Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen of DA Caraga stressed that the initiative not only provides affordable rice to vulnerable consumers, but also guarantees a stable and fair market for Caraganons and the local farmers.

“Farmers should be the first to benefit from this program. By buying their produce at competitive prices and ensuring that rice is sold at P20 per kilo to vulnerable sectors, the government is protecting both producers and consumers,” Mangelen said.

Mangelen also highlighted that partnerships with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the private sector since July of this year have already distributed around 1,000 sacks of rice to workers in the region, further broadening the reach of the program.

“With government intervention, we make rice more affordable for families and at the same time empower our farmers by giving them fair value for their harvest. This two-pronged approach is crucial in building a stronger and more food-secure Caraga,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vincent Albia, NFA Caraga operations officer, explained that qualified beneficiaries are allowed to buy up to 10 kilos of rice per month until December of this year. The first outlet was opened in Tandag City and more warehouses and outlets are set to operate in strategic areas across the region.

Albia emphasized that aside from helping consumers, the program directly supports farmers through the NFA’s active procurement of palay at P23 to P30 per kilo, depending on the prevailing approved price for clean and dry grains. This provides farmers with a reliable buyer and shields them from unfair market practices.

NFA Caraga Acting Regional Manager Antonio Rosario Lagrimas II assured that more outlets will soon be operational to meet growing demand, while DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division is tasked to request additional rice allocations from the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) to ensure continuous availability.

The media briefing, held on Sept. 22 in Butuan City, was attended by DA and NFA officials, along with representatives from Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), reaffirming their commitment to expanding the program and sustaining its positive impact on communities. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)

Published Date: September 30, 2025