A pleasant day to everyone!

I extend my warmest congratulations and greetings to the officials and employees of the National Food Authority as we commemorate your 51st Anniversary.

For over five decades, you have been faithfully serving our nation by assuring the stability, affordability, and safety of our staple food supplies.

I am delighted that in line with the celebration of your fifty-one (51) years of service, you are launching an array of programs and projects which will definitely boost the delivery of food services for the general public.

I share with you our high hopes in the success of the SARAI Project—or the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines Project.

Through this, we will be intensifying our efforts in providing smart and sustainable solutions for a more productive and proactive farming.

Likewise, I am optimistic in the positive impacts that will be carried out by the NFA Modernization Program.

Also, the ceremonial signing of the NFA’s credit line with the Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines is a huge leap that once again showcases our tried, tested, and trusted partnership.

This is an affirmation of our shared commitment in realizing our national agenda towards development.

May this 51st anniversary celebration reinvigorate the drive to continue fulfilling the NFAs mandate of maintaining sufficient rice buffer stock sourced from our local farmers.

Even in the midst of challenges that grapple our agriculture sector, you have remained steadfast in maintaining a buffer stock of rice and palay, especially during times of emergencies and calamities.

The recent months have truly been challenging. However, we continue to find the best solutions to the issues that we face without compromising the needs of our farmers and retailers.

We continue to relentlessly strive to bolster the agriculture sector to increase our local food production and supply.

We also conducted outreach activities and extended food relief assistance to the underprivileged members of our society.

We have likewise undertaken measures to support our retailers in light of the price cap that we imposed to stabilize rice prices in the market.

The government is also undertaking aggressive steps to mitigate matters pertaining to the price stability of basic commodities, especially rice, by strengthening our law-enforcement activities against smugglers, hoarders, and those who undermine our efforts to ensure food security.

I wish everyone a meaningful, productive, and happy anniversary.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang NFA!

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