The National Food Authority (NFA) on Tuesday said it is implementing various strategies to decongest spaces in its warehouses for local palay (unhusked rice) procurement nationwide.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over People’s Television Network, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said these moves are necessary amid the slow release of rice stocks to local government units (LGUs).

“Mayroon tayong ginagawa diyan (We are doing something about it), which is iyong (the) milling process,” he said.

“Lahat ng mga palay natin ngayon, pinapagiling natin and kapag iyon nagiling, lahat ay 63 percent lang naman ang recovery sa (All of our palay now undergo milling and once it’s all milled, the recovery will only be at 63 percent from the) milling, so it will free up spaces,” Lacson added.

Around 35 percent of warehouse spaces may be freed with this strategy, while the empty areas can be occupied by new purchased harvest, he said.

“We are also looking at private warehouses na pwede namin i-lease (that we can lease),” Lacson added.

Lacson said the NFA is also coordinating with private stakeholders and LGUs that can help provide temporary warehouses.

“Mayroong mga local government units and coops (cooperatives) na willing to lend or magpahiram ng kanilang mga (There are LGUs and coops willing to lend their) warehouses,” he said.

Lacson earlier urged LGUs to speed up procurement of NFA rice from the Department of Agriculture, through the Food Terminal Incorporated, under the food security emergency for rice.

To date, only San Juan and Navotas in the National Capital Region and Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region have secured initial NFA rice release..

Around 70 LGUs, however, signified their intent to purchase NFA rice.

“We’re still far doon sa objective natin na sana nationwide na maipamahagi ito sa ating mga kababayan sa murang halaga (from our objective to distribute this to our fellow countrymen at a lower price),” Lacson said.

Among the identified causes of slow NFA rice release are procedural delays, need for local resolutions and lack of funds. (PNA)