By Rosalita Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte (PIA) — The National Food Authority (NFA) assures that there is an ample supply of rice, enough to last for 21 days, in the province of Camarines Norte. 

NFA Assistant Branch Manager Marbin Malabanan reported that as of December 11, there are a total of 145,008 bags of palay (unmilled rice) and 3,279 bags of rice available at their satellite office in Barangay Lag-on, Daet, Camarines Norte. 

Malabanan explained that the NFA’s mandate is to maintain buffer stocks to be used in the event of calamities and disasters. 

Local government units can purchase these stocks through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the NFA. 

Malabanan said the increase in buffer stocks is due to NFA’s higher buying prices for palay, which are P17 per kilo for fresh and P23 per kilo for dried, compared to traders’ prices of P18 to P20 per kilo. 

Additionally, they launched President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Benteng Bigas Meron Na Program,” which offers rice at P20 per kilo at their satellite office in Lag-on, Daet. 

This program is open to farmers, fisherfolk, vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities, senior citizens, tricycle and jeepney drivers, and solo parents. 

Government workers and minimum wage earners can also access the P20 rice, provided their agency enters into a MOA with the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI). 

Malabanan indicated that residents outside of Daet usually purchase rice for one month’s consumption, averaging between 30 to 50 kilos. 

Many from other municipalities rent vehicles to buy rice from the satellite office, she added. 

Malabanan noted that rice from the Benteng Bigas program has also been sold at Kadiwa trade fairs in various locations throughout the municipality.  

She encouraged small businesses to take advantage of the program for their workers and enter into a MOA with the FTI. 

Erlinda Obusan, a 78-year-old resident, is benefiting from the P20 per kilo rice program and has authorized her son to buy 10 kilos per week. She lives with her son, his wife, and their child. 

“The cheap rice is a big help because we save a lot, and we can use that money to buy viands and other basic needs,” she said. (PIA Bicol/Camarines Norte)

Published Date: December 12, 2025