The National Food Authority (NFA) assured that the agency will provide 'good quality' aging rice for the Bigas 29 program.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said on Tuesday, June 25, that the buffer stock of the agency undergoes regular fumigation and testing.
"Kasama sa activities natin yung maitenance ng stock. Tinitignan iyon at tini-test iyan on a monthly basis kung ano na ang kudisyon," Lacson said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
Under the Bigas 29 program, which the NFA approved last June 19, Kadiwa sites will sell rice that have been stocked for three months and unhusked rice that has been stocked for six months by the NFA for a price of Php 29 per kilo.
Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the program aims to provide affordable rice to the vulnerable sectors of society, including solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disability, and indigenous people.
Selected Kadiwa stores already started a trial sale of the Bigas 29 program and DA plans to fully implement the program on July.
The DA plans to use identification or monitoring cards to ensure that beneficiaries of the Bigas 29 program will follow the purchase limit of 10 kilograms per month.
