ROXAS City, Capiz – The National Food Authority (NFA) in this province designated its warehouses in barangays Bolo and Lawaan in Roxas City, Sta. Cruz in Dumalag town and Mangoso in the municipality of Sigma as palay buying stations in view of the government’s ongoing palay procurement from local farmers.
Mary Christie Hari-on, NFA-Capiz public information officer, said the agency continues to buy clean and dry palay with 14 percent moisture content at P19 per kilogram.
The government’s buying price on palay is amidst the prevailing farm gate price of palay in the province at P13.00 to P15.00 per kilogram among private palay traders.
“Walk-in, individual and farmers organizations/group/associations who wished to sell their palay to NFA are required to present a farmers passbook,” Hari-on noted, adding that this can be secured for free at the NFA-Capiz in Bolo.
She added that NFA strictly imposes standard health protocols which require all clients to wear face shield and face mask upon entry to NFA compound and offices.
Disinfection, preventive spraying and fogging are also conducted at the NFA warehouses and premises every two weeks or if the need arises to prevent infestation of stocks, drive away dengue-carrying mosquitoes and protect the place from coronavirus disease 2019.
Based on records, the NFA – Capiz has already procured a total of 159,014 bags from January to Sept. 22.
The figure is 124 percent accomplishment out of the 128,100 bags target for the period.
The palay procurement in preparation for calamities and emergencies is NFA’s new mandate pursuant to RA11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law. (With a report from PIA Capiz/PN)
