QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — The supply of rice for the country is still sufficient.
This is according to Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Special Concerns Atty. Ranibai Dilangalen despite reports on the alleged shortage of buffer stock of the National Food Authority (NFA).
In an interview with Net 25’s Radyo ng Agila, Dilangalen clarified that the shortage of the NFA is on the buffer stocks, but that the overall rice sufficiency was more than enough.
The official said the country is still 96 percent rice sufficient.
“Pagdating sa ating bigas, ang pagkalahatan po ay wala po tayong problema. Meron po tayong suplay ng bigas na 95 to 96 percent,” Dilangalen said.
Meanwhile, the agency launched the “Bigas Para sa Masa” program to offer a cheaper rice alternative to consumers.
Dilangalen said it is available at the Department of Agriculture office in Quezon City.
They also plan to expand the program in different offices of the department to help fellow Filipinos who cannot afford the expensive rice in the market.
Meanwhile, it said that the rice to be imported by the government would arrive by June.