COA flags NFA on rice deficits

By Rio N. Araja

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has questioned the National Food Authority (NFA) for alleged failure to meet the optimum level of national rice buffer stocking requirement of 300,000 metric tons in 2022 despite full receipt of a P7-billion government subsidy.

In another move, COA) told the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address project delays totaling P96.218 billion.

In a 2022 audit report, state auditors said there was a shortfall of 177,349 met- ric tons or 46 percent of the target palay procurement of 480,000 metric tons.

“The inability to maintain the required optimum level of national rice buffer stocking at any given time poses risk that NFA might not be able to ef- fectively and immediately respond and provide the needs of the beneficiaries all over the country in times of emergency situations, and non-sustenance of the disaster relief programs of the government during natural or man-made calamities,” it cited.

Despite receipt of a P7-billion subsidy, only P5.75 billion was disbursed for the 302,651 metric tons of procured palay.

COA said there were limited palay buying stations and mobile procurement teams in areas with surplus stock during harvest season.