ILOILO – There is ample buffer stock of rice in Western Visayas, according to the National Food Authority (NFA).
Data (as of Nov. 11) from the NFA showed the region’s rice buffer stock could last for 12 days.
Speaking to Panay News, acting regional manager Lilibette Ignacio said Western Visayas has a total of 696,473 rice bags in various warehouses.
These were in Aklan – 36,836; Capiz – 59,259; Iloilo – 509,427; Antique – 26,884; and Negros Occidental – 63,969.
Apart from that, Ignacio said the NFA still has almost 740,000 bags of palay in its various warehouses particularly in Aklan – 48,825; Capiz – 88,370; Antique – 23,055; Iloilo – 537,377; Negros Occidental – 40,905.
According to Ignacio, the buffer stock of rice in the region is even “surplus”.
“Based on the new mandate, we have to plan for at least nine days lang na requirement. The daily consumption requirements ‘yon na ‘yong basis ng computation for the buffer stock requirement,” she said.
In the coming days, Ignacio hopes for an increase in the region’s buffer stock. NFA procures rice from farmers at 19 per kilogram or P950 per bag.
This year NFA-6 allotted P2.28 billion for the purchase of rice, Ignacio said.
November is the National Rice Awareness Month.
Meanwhile, as of Nov. 11, only 603,500 bags of palay or 31 percent of the 2.4 million target have been procured by NFA-6, said Ignacio.
Ignacio cited weather disturbances, especially in Negros Occidental, and the rice bugs attack in Antique as major reasons for the low accomplishment.
However, according to Ignacio, NFA-6 is exerting effort to achieve at least 50 percent of the target.
One of the strategies NFA-6 is working on is to go directly to the barangays to procure palay.
“The farmers do not have to pay for logistics,” she said.
NFA-6 also expanded the procurement of rice at its various buying stations.
Ignacio encourages farmers to go to the buying stations to sell their palay.
For queries, farmers can reach NFA-6 through the following numbers:
* Regional Office – 0917-170-0953 (look for Lalaine Doronila)
* Iloilo Branch Office – 0917-170-0943 (look for Ma. Rita Niña M. Chua)
* Capiz Branch Office – 0995-814-8766 (look for Salve Mae L. Agustin)
* Negros Occidental Office – 0966-350-7243 (look for Irah. B. Razote)
Ignacio also encouraged Western Visayans to be aware of the efforts of farmers in producing rice through being responsible consumers.
“Huwag tayong magsasayang. Dapat tayo’y maging food guardians. Pahalagahan natin ‘yong ginagawang effort ng ating farmers,” added Ignacio.
Western Visayans consume 59,060 bags of rice daily, according to Ignacio.
Here’s the breakdown of the daily consumption of rice (DCR) in Region 6:
* Aklan – 4,500 bags
* Capiz – 5,960 bags
* Iloilo – 20,680 bags
* Antique – 5,440 bags
* Negros Occidental – 22,480 bags/PN
