NFA rice allocation for LGUs increased

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has increased the allocation of National Food Authority (NFA) rice, priced at P33 per kilo, to local government units (LGUs) nationwide, from 625,600 bags to 1.35 million bags, as part of the implementation of the food security emergency.

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Tiu Laurel issued Department Circular No. 7, expanding the list of beneficiary areas of the NFA rice, amending Department Circular No. 4 on guidelines on the release of NFA rice to LGUs during the declaration of the food security emergency.

"Recent market monitoring reports and validated requests from various LGUs nationwide indicate the need to expand the list of beneficiary areas beyond those originally identified affected by extraordinary increase in rice prices," Tiu Laurel said in his department circular.

Tiu Laurel said that among the criteria for inclusion in the list of beneficiary areas are market monitoring data from Department of Agriculture and NFA field offices showing significant price surges beyond normal fluctuations.