Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has raised concerns over reports that the National Food Authority (NFA) is buying palay from traders instead of directly from farmers, amid worries about food security and rice supply stability.
On September 28, Pangilinan shared a video from Bombo Radyo Cauayan highlighting complaints from farmers in Isabela, where a barangay captain questioned why palay was being brought to NFA warehouses by traders, contrary to policy.
Under current rules, the NFA can only purchase from verified farmers registered in the government’s official farmers’ registry (RSBSA) or with local government certification. The policy is meant to exclude middlemen and ensure transparency.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson explained that these measures were designed to prevent traders from benefiting and to make procurement more open to public scrutiny.
Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, is also pushing for the full implementation of the 2019 Sagip Saka Act, allowing government agencies to buy directly from farmers and fisherfolk, and recently met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to seek support for rural development initiatives.IMT
