National Food Authority Administrator Larry R. Lacson assures the public that the agency is ready to release NFA rice  to relief giving institutions in the occurrence of  emergencies and calamities even in holiday seasons. Administrator Lacson said this in a statement following reports of the activity of Bulkang Kanlaon and the monitored forecasts on intertropical convergence and rainshowers in most parts of the country.

“We have instructed our employees in the field to immediately activate our Operation Centers (OpCen) in the areas affected by floods, typhoons, and other emergencies and to open their hotlines to fast track coordination with our relief institutions. Holiday season tayo ngayon ngunit ang aming tanggapan ay laging bukas upang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Kasama sa ating pagseserbisyo ang kahandaan sa anumang oras ngpangangailangan.”, he said.

NFA has intensified its palay buying strategies under the Price Range Scheme (PRICERS) to meet the rice relief requests of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),  the Local Government Units (LGUs), and the Legislators for distribution to the affected families and individuals in calamity stricken areas.

The agency has accomplished 95% of its buffer stocking target this year. The current buffer stock is now 5.661 million bags of equivalent milled rice. Administrator Lacson issued a standing order to its ranks to closely and continuously coordinate with the local farmers and the chief executives in their area for immediate response. ### (DA-National Food Authority)