The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol (Region 5) is to mill 579,000 bags of palay to boost the region’s buffer stocks after the level of rice supply has dropped, an official said on Friday.
In an interview, Henry Treteza, NFA regional director, said the level of rice supply run low after heavy withdrawal requests made by various local government units triggered by the government’s enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Currently there are 147,000 bags of rice in NFA warehouses serving as buffer stock good for only 12 days. The NFA has so far already released 31,550 bags to various local government units,” he added.
Treteza said 42,000 bags of rice are the daily average consumption in Bicol.
Tresteza, however, said the milling would take time because most of the milling firms are closed due to the community quarantine.
“Once the milling preparation is completed about 512,000 bags would add to the buffer stock,” he said.
As for the request from other NFA regions, he said they are waiting for the additional 160,000 bags of rice from Regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4 (Calabarzon). (PNA)
