The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ramped up efforts to bolster national food security and provide timely support to farmers amid plunging palay prices, completing the rehabilitation of six key rice warehouses in Region II under its Masagana Agri-Food Infrastructure Modernization (MAFIM) program.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who chairs the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, said the initiative is part of a broader push to modernize agricultural infrastructure and secure the country’s rice buffer stocks — a priority as farmers face market uncertainties.

“This initiative reflects the Marcos administration’s commitment to improving post-harvest systems, minimizing grain losses, and ensuring that Filipino rice farmers receive fair value for their palay through more efficient procurement by the NFA,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said.

While the upgrades did not increase storage capacity, they significantly improved safety, ventilation, pest control, and structural durability — key to preserving rice quality and minimizing spoilage during long-term storage or calamities.

In total, the rehabilitated warehouses in Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Ifugao now hold over 337,000 bags of rice. The largest among them are in Bayombong and Bagabag, capable of storing 160,620 bags, while Isabela’s three facilities in Burgos, Roxas, and Tumauini collectively house 148,000 bags.

“These rehabilitations are not just about infrastructure – they are about readiness,” said NFA Administrator Larry Lacson. 

“Our improved warehouses are now better equipped to safeguard rice stocks and ensure rapid deployment during emergencies.”

Region II, a major rice-producing hub, was prioritized under the DA’s three-year NFA modernization plan. With farmgate prices for palay dipping to as low as P10 per kilo, farmers see the upgraded warehouses as vital government reinforcement — ensuring their harvests are purchased, preserved, and promptly distributed.

“Also to accommodate more palay from farmers who have waited in line for NFA to buy their harvest,” Administrator Lacson added.

The refurbished facilities are set to play a critical role this coming harvest season, helping reduce post-harvest losses and ensuring stable food supplies across Luzon.

As of mid-June, NFA Isabela holds a rice buffer stock of 437,585 bags — enough to sustain local consumption for over a month. The province continues to outperform national yields, producing 5.8 metric tons of rice per hectare, roughly 41 percent above the national average.