The National Food Authority (NFA) is the Philippine government’s food agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA). Its core responsibility is to support food security and stabilize rice supply by maintaining rice buffer stocks sourced solely from local farmers, to be distributed during emergencies and calamities. This includes acquiring, maintaining, and distributing rice sourced exclusively from local farmers. Since it was established in 1972, the NFA has long since evolved from managing grains to focusing exclusively on rice buffer stocking under the Rice Tariffication Law.
For over 40 years, the NFA has helped maintain rice availability across the Philippines, especially during natural disasters and national emergencies. Its most notable achievements include supporting local rice farmers through direct procurement programs and maintaining rice buffer stocks for disaster relief and food security. With the NFA in place, the public is assured of a stable rice supply, especially during crises. Likewise, the farmers are also assured of their livelihoods through the various government-supported purchasing programs it oversees.
Why is the NFA Important?
The NFA helps safeguard national food security by maintaining rice buffer stocks. While it no longer regulates rice trade, its focused role helps:
- Support local rice farmers.
- Provide rice supply during calamities.
- Contribute to disaster relief efforts.
History
The NFA which was originally established in 1972 actually started out as the National Grains Authority (NGA). Its main goal was focused on the development of the grains industry. In 1981, it was reconstituted as the NFA, expanding its scope to include non-grains food items such as fruits, vegetables, and fish. By 1985, Executive Order No. 1028 deregulated the NFA’s non-grains activities, leading to the closure or privatization of Kadiwa stores. In 2014, the agency was reassigned to the Office of the President to focus on food security and rice supply stabilization, and by 2019, the Rice Tariffication Law officially transformed the NFA into a buffer stocking agency, removing its regulatory and licensing functions under Presidential Decree No. 1770.
Mandate and Legal Foundation
The NFA was created through Presidential Decree No. 4 on September 26, 1972, originally called the National Grains Authority (NGA). It absorbed the functions of two agencies:
- The Rice and Corn Board (RICOB)
- The Rice and Corn Administration (RCA)
By 1981, through Presidential Decree No. 1770, the NGA became the NFA, expanding its scope beyond grains to cover other food products. Over time, various executive orders restructured its functions. Most notably, Republic Act No. 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, signed on February 14, 2019, limited NFA’s role strictly to rice buffer stocking.
Vision
Its operations are designed to achieve the following vision to be:
“An efficient, modern and resilient food agency providing food security and food sufficiency for all Filipinos in times of calamities and emergencies.”
Mission
The NFA shall:
- Help improve the lives of the Filipino rice farmers by safeguarding their profitability.
- Ensure strategically located buffer stocks for faster rice issuance.
- Promote adoption of advanced and environmentally sustainable technologies for optimized operations.
- Actively support the Philippines’ transition towards becoming a disaster-resilient nation.
Core Values
Its operations are strictly guided by the following core values:
- Service Excellence
- Organizational Awareness and Commitment
- Professionalism
- Interpersonal Relations
- Accountability
Logo
The current seal of the NFA, introduced in January 2020, features a refined circular design with two stylized, droplet-like shapes—one colored blue, the other red—nestled together at the center to evoke both a grain kernel and the colors of the Philippine flag. This central motif reflects the NFA’s focus on rice buffer stocking, while the red and blue hues respectfully nod to national identity and unity. Encircling the emblem is a clean white ring, bearing the words “NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY” and the founding year “1972” in solid, modern lettering—a design nod to both its institutional heritage and clarity of purpose. The simplified color palette and sleek vector lines reinforce a professional, streamlined image suitable for digital and print use, demonstrating the agency’s move toward modernization while remaining grounded in its storied mandate.
Organizational Structure
The NFA is headed by the NFA Council, which oversees all major departments and offices. At the center of their operation is the Office of the Administrator, supported by key units such as the Legal Affairs Department, Internal Audit Department, and Corporate Planning and Management Services Department. Reporting to the Deputy Administrator are two main divisions: the Office of the Assistant Administrator for Finance and Administration and the Office of the Assistant Administrator for Operations, each handling specific functions like human resources, finance, operations coordination, and technical services. They also have Regional and Branch Offices, ensuring NFA services reach local areas nationwide. Each department is divided into smaller divisions that handle specialized tasks such as accounting, auditing, legal investigation, and public affairs.
How Does NFA Operate?
The agency performs these core functions to fulfill its mandate:
- Buffer Stock Management: Keeps rice inventory sufficient to meet emergency needs.
- Procurement: Purchases rice from local farmers only—importation is no longer allowed.
- Distribution: Provides rice to areas affected by natural or man-made disasters.
Programs and Projects
To carry out these functions, the agency now focuses exclusively on the acquisition, storage, and distribution of rice buffer stocks via the following main programs:
1. Procurement Program
- NFA buys palay (unmilled rice) from individual farmers or accredited farmer organizations at government support prices.
- Buffer stocks are maintained specifically for emergencies or disaster relief.
Farmer groups must be legally registered with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), or other supervising agencies.
2. Institutionalized Procurement Program (IPP)
- Implemented where Farmer Group Marketing Councils (FGMCs) operate.
- Only accredited farmer groups with legal identity and official registration may join.
3. Stock Quality Maintenance Program
- Stored stocks are regularly checked and maintained in good, consumable condition through proper warehouse practices.
4. Distribution Program
- Rice stocks are positioned strategically to support government relief operations.
- Distribution occurs through:
- Sales: To government agencies, LGUs, and private institutions involved in relief operations.
- Donations: To Local Government Units during calamities.
- Aging stocks may be auctioned to replace old stocks. Auction guidelines depend on local situations.
Organizational Oversight and Developments
NFA’s management is overseen by the National Food Authority Council, which includes representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Finance (DOF), Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP), and other key agencies.
Notably:
- In 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman issued a six-month preventive suspension against NFA Administrator Roderico R. Bioco and 138 officials due to alleged irregularities in rice stock sales.
- Director Larry Lacson was appointed Officer-in-Charge on March 19, 2024.
- A Senate investigation was initiated under Senate Resolution 940.
Video: What is the NFA
Get to know the premiere food authority in the Philippines and learn more about what it does by watching this video below:
Contact Information
For inquiries and other concerns, you may contact:
National Food Authority (NFA)
- Address: National Food Authority, Visayas Avenue, VASRA, Quezon City
- Tel. no.: 0917 113 9347
- Email: publicaffairs@nfa.gov.ph
- Official Website: nfa.gov.ph