By Stephanie Sevillano

MANILA – The National Food Authority (NFA) on Tuesday assured a sufficient supply of rice stocks from local producers to sustain the Marcos administration’s PHP20 per kilogram rice program under the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier vowed to sustain government subsidies for the availability of cheaper rice options until 2028.

In a Viber message, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said that about 40,000 metric tons (MT) of rice stocks are available in NFA warehouses across the country.

“Sapat ang supply natin ng 0-3 months para sa Benteng Bigas (Our supply is adequate for zero to three months for the PHP20 rice) nationwide,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

“Nasa (There are about) 800,000 (50-kilogram) bags available for PHP20,” Lacson added.

He said this volume covers both aging but good-quality rice and non-aging rice.

In terms of funding for palay (unhusked rice) procurement, the NFA reiterated it has an adequate budget to purchase local rice from Filipino farmers.

Intensified procurement is eyed amid the wet harvest season to secure the country’s 15-day national rice buffer stock, as well as help sustain the administration’s BBM Na.

To date, Lacson said the NFA has about PHP12 billion in funds for 2026, including carry-over from the 2025 national budget.

The DA earlier vowed to provide a supplementary budget to the grains agency to boost its palay procurement.

The NFA is set to buy fresh and wet palay at PHP 21 per kilo—higher than the previous minimum buying price of PHP17 per kilo. (PNA)

Published Date: September 8, 2026