‘May 120, 000 bags stock pa ang Kalinga para sa palay at bigas’ - NFA Branch Manager Regindin

Tabuk City, Kalinga – National Food Authority (NFA) Branch Manager Elimar Regindin reported that a total of 121,700 bags of palay (unmilled rice) and bigas (milled rice) are currently in stock in the province.

The figures were announced during the Local Energy Crisis Task Force Meeting held on April 7 at the Golden Berries Hotel in San Juan, Tabuk City.

During the meeting, Regindin said that the current inventory includes both palay and rice reserves intended to support the province’s food security, particularly amid ongoing challenges affecting supply chains.

“To ensure that our resources are mobilized swiftly and strategically when they are most needed, I would like to inform you that the current inventory of the Cagayan Branch Office for palay is 491,000 bags. Here in Kalinga, we have 71,500 bags. As for bigas or rice, the Cagayan Branch currently has 105,900 bags, while here in Kalinga, we have 50,200 bags,” he said.

The NFA official also noted that the agency continues to coordinate with local government units and partner agencies to ensure that rice supplies can be mobilized and distributed efficiently when needed.

Regindin added that the agency aims to stabilize prices—not to compete with local traders—and that its three palay buying stations will open during the harvest season.

“We are not here to compete with local traders, but to stabilize prices. We also want to inform the public that when harvest time comes, our three palay buying stations, including those in Tabuk and Rizal, will be operational,” he added.

Meanwhile, despite higher prices from private traders and rising fuel costs, the NFA said they remain committed to maintaining rice reserves and supply stability in Kalinga, with contingency plans to source additional stocks from nearby provinces if needed.