NFA seeks to increase buying price of palay

The National Food Authority is seeking to adjust its buying price for palay to entice local farmers to sell their crops to address the supply shortage and soaring prices of the staple food.

Currently, the NFA's buying price for palay is P17 per kilogram. This is lower than what private traders offer to farmers at an average of P20 per kilogram.

NFA spokesperson Rex Estoperez said the NFA's buying price of palay at P17 was the last price adjustment since 2008.

"Mukhang hindi akma sa panahon ang presyo na 'yan. 'Yan ang dapat baguhin baguhin para makaabot naman 'yung ating support po sa ating mga magsasaka," Estoperez said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

Increasing the agency's buying price will help in increasing its buffer stock of subsidized rice.

"'Pag ang NFA nag-intervene sa merkado ng maraming supply that's the time para maimpluwensiyahan po natin ang presyo ng commercial. Pero for now kasi wala namang ganung stocks na ganun karami," Estoperez said.

The NFA is under fire for the rice crisis in Zamboanga City where prices of the staple have been soaring to as high as P75 per kilogram.

Members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives have filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the rice crisis affecting Zamboanga City.

In Basilan, prices of commercial rice have gone up to P80 per kilogram. Basilan has likewise been placed under a state of calamity.

Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza also called for the resignation of NFA administrator Jason Aquino over the rice issues. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News