Amid concerns about food security and the stability of the rice supply chain, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan raised questions about why there are reports that the National Food Authority (NFA) is buying palay from traders rather than from farmers.
The senator on Sunday, September 28, shared an August 18 video clip from Bombo Radyo Cauayan on his Facebook account about the investigation into reported irregularities in the NFA’s palay procurement program in Isabela province.
“NFA bakit sa trader bumibili ng palay at hindi sa mga magsasaka?,” Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, wrote.
The senator called on the NFA admin to act upon the complaints of farmers in Isabela province.
In the video, a barangay captain from Isabela was heard questioning the NFA why it was procuring palay from traders after farmers reported having seen trailers of palay being brought to the NFA warehouse there.
Under the current policy, the NFA is not allowed to buy palay from traders, and can only purchase palay from registered farmers.
The NFA tightened its palay procurement rules to ensure that only verified farmers can sell palay to them.
Under the rules, verified farmers must be registered with the government’s official farmers’ registry (RSBSA).
They may also show a certificate from the local government as proof.
The policy ensures that traders and middlemen will be excluded from selling directly to NFA.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said that these policies were put in place to address concerns and allegations that traders are the ones benefitting from NFA. It also makes the agency’s palay procurement process more transparent and open to public scrutiny.
Pangilinan has also been pushing for the full implementation of the 2019 Sagip Saka Act, a law he authored and passed allowing national government agencies and local government units to buy rice and other food items directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.
He recently held a meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to appeal for his support to implement the law, as well as to prioritize several proposed measures that would strengthen rural development and empower farmers and fisherfolk.
KIKO ASKS NFA: WHY BUY PALAY FROM TRADERS?
