The National Food Authority (NFA) is often misunderstood to be either a general food agency or part of the country’s social welfare system, but its true mandate is far more specific, according to NFA Administrator Larry Lacson.

“People sometimes think we’re all about food and, at times, they think we’re part of the DSWD. But the NFA’s main mandate is clear: we are a buffer stock agency,” Lacson said in a radio interview on Saturday. “That means we store rice to ensure there’s a supply available during times of calamity.”

Lacson said that under its charter, the NFA is tasked with purchasing rice exclusively from Filipino farmers.

“We buy palay (unhusked rice) directly from local farmers. We have a presence in almost every region and province — our warehouses are strategically located in rice-producing areas. Still, we admit there aren’t enough, so we’re currently building more,” he said.

Lacson said the NFA currently operates 365 warehouses across the country, including newly built facilities and those loaned from other agencies.

Under its mandate, the rice bought by the NFA is not sold to traders, Lacson said. Instead, the stocks are allocated to relief agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Office of Civil Defense for distribution during emergencies.

However, with the passage of Republic Act 12078, the NFA is now authorized to auction off rice to the private sector before it becomes unfit for human consumption.

“This is a major change,” Lacson said. “It allows us to dispose of excess stocks more efficiently, while ensuring quality.”

Current stock levels and market share

As of now, Lacson said the NFA has around 11 million bags of palay in its warehouses.

Last year, the local palay production was just under 20 million metric tons, while rice imports reached 4.7 million metric tons.

According to Lacson, the NFA’s participation in the rice market stands between 2.66 percent and 5 percent, based on buffer stock guidelines and overall production.

“It may seem like a small percentage, but that’s what our mandate requires. And our stocks aren’t just sitting idle—we wait for calamities to trigger their release,” he explained.

To maintain rice quality, Lacson said that ideally buffer stocks should be replaced within six months.

“Rice is best within six months of storage. To ensure a healthy buffer, stocks must be regularly rotated,” he said.

As the country faces increasing threats from natural disasters, Lacson emphasized the importance of understanding the NFA’s critical but often overlooked role.

“We’re not here to compete with rice traders or to distribute rice daily. Our job is to make sure there’s rice when people need it most,” he said.