President Marcos has directed the National Food Authority (NFA) to increase its rice buffer stock to support local farmers and ensure a sufficient rice supply in the country.

In her press briefing on Monday, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the move was part of the administration’s efforts to boost food security and stabilize rice prices.

“Dinagdagan na ng National Food Authority ang kanilang rice buffer stock alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na paigtingin ng NFA ang pagbili ng palay mula sa mga lokal na magsasaka  (The NFA has already increased its rice buffer stock following the President's directive for the NFA to consider the purchase of palay from local farmers)," she said.

The Palace Press Officer said the initiative is intended to help the farmers and to ensure that the country maintains an adequate rice supply.

“Isang hakbang para suportahan ang kabuhayan nila at tiyakin ang sapat na supply ng bigas sa bansa (This is a step to support their livelihood and ensure an adequate supply of rice in the country)," she said.

Citing NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, Castro said that as of April 24, NFA’s inventory has reached 10.1 million sacks of palay and 1.2 million sacks of rice. The current stock is sufficient for 10 days of national consumption, the highest level recorded since 2020.

She added that the NFA still has P12 billion to buy palay during the summer harvest season.

According to Castro, the NFA's continuous palay procurement serves a dual purpose.

“Ang tuloy-tuloy na pagbili ng palay ay hindi lamang para sa mga magsasaka, kundi para rin sa pagbibigay ng mas abot-kayang bigas sa mamamayan (The continuous purchase of palay is not only for the farmers but also for providing more affordable rice to the public)," she said.

The government has made rice sufficiency and farmer welfare key priorities under the President’s food security agenda.