KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato— Residents from nearby Makilala town in Cotabato province gathered before dawn outside the National Food Authority (NFA) office in Cotabato on Monday to secure priority numbers for the sale of subsidized rice.
They braved the cool weather as they lined up outside the NFA-Cotabato office in Kidapawan City ahead of its 8 a.m. opening.
A security guard on duty, who requested anonymity as he is not authorized to speak for the agency, said the queue began forming as early as 5 a.m. He noted that even elderly residents joined the line in hopes of obtaining priority numbers for the ₱20-per-kilogram rice.
Each qualified buyer can purchase up to 30 kilos per schedule.
Those who secured priority numbers on Monday were instructed to return the following day for payment and release of the rice, the guard said, adding that the system follows the agency’s policy.
Under the schedule, residents of Kidapawan City are served every Wednesday and Friday, while those from outside the city are accommodated on Mondays and Thursdays.
The NFA in Cotabato releases at least 2,000 kilos of rice to residents each week.
The agency also clarified that its current supply of NFA rice is sufficient to last for up to five more months./coa
© Copyright 2025 The SSResource Media.
All rights reserved.