THE National Food Authority has started buying storm damaged palay (SDP) in Regions 1, 2 and 3 that were severely affected by Typhoons ‘‘Karen’’ and ‘‘Lawin.’’
NFA officer-in-charge Tomas Escarez has authorized its field offices in the three regions to procure storm damaged palay from individual and farmers’ groups affected by the recent typhoons.
Concerned NFA field offices are allowed to procure SDP for a period of one month.
NFA said the base price for the procurement of SDP is P11 per kilogram.
The prices, however, will vary depending on the quality specifications such as moisture content, purity, discolored and damaged grains.
SDP with more than 80 percent damaged and discolored kernels shall no longer be bought.
Escarez said: “NFA’s procurement of SDP is in addition to our intensified buying operations in the 35 surplus areas across the country identified by the Philippine Statistics Authority such as Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Eastern and Western Pangasinan, and La Union in Region 1.
“Kalinga, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Allacapan, Ifugao, and Quirino in Region 2; Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac in Region 3; San Jose and Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Palawan in Region 4;
“Camarines Sur in Region 5; Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo in Region 6; Biliran and Northern Leyte in Region 8; Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay in Region 9; Bukidnon in Region 10; Davao Oriental in Region 11; North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in Region 12; Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; and Agusan del Sur in the Caraga Region.”
NFA buys palay at the government support price of P17.00 per kilogram plus a maximum of P0.70 per kilogram incentives, P0.20 for drying fee, P0.20 for delivery fee and P0.30 for cooperative development incentive fee.
Escarez said funds to be used in the procurement of SDP shall come from the Calamity Fund or the President’s Social Fund.
He also directed concerned NFA field officials to mobilize their procurement teams, prepare the necessary logistical requirements and coordinate with their local government units (LGUs) and farmers organizations in identifying priority areas for the procurement of SDP.
Meanwhile, NFA has released a total of 25,075 bags of rice as of October 24, 2016 to relief agencies and LGUs for distribution to affected families in typhoon hit areas.