As part of its ongoing commitment to support local rice farmers, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA RFO 02), through its DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center (DA-SCRC) in Iguig, Cagayan and DA-Isabela Experiment Station (DA-IES) in Gamu, Isabela, provided hauling services to assist in the delivery of palay to the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses in Tuguegarao City and Cauayan City from April 8 to 11, 2025.

A total of 679 bags of dry palay, equivalent to 34.85 metric tons, were successfully delivered by six farmers from the municipalities of Solana, Amulung, and Alcala in Cagayan, and San Mariano in Isabela. These deliveries were purchased by the NFA at a price of ₱24.00 per kilogram, resulting in an estimated total value of ₱836,496.00.

Compared to the prevailing market price of only ₱18.00 per kilogram, the NFA’s buying rate of ₱24.00 offers a significant increase, giving farmers a fairer return for their harvest and helping protect them from potential losses caused by fluctuating market conditions.

Moreover, DA RFO 02 Regional Executive Director Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino expressed empathy for the plight of farmers, admitting that the department cannot control palay prices in the open market.

“Masakit din sa akin bilang isang magsasaka na hindi natin kayang kontrolin ang presyo ng palay. Pero ang magagawa natin ngayon ay maibsan ang kanilang gastos kaya’t nagbibigay tayo ng tulong mula sa pagtatanim hanggang sa marketing,” RED Aquino said.

She added that initiatives like this hauling support not only ease farmers’ burdens but also give them hope.

“When our farmers know that the DA RFO 02 is ready to assist them not just in production but also in reaching the market, they feel more secure. It motivates them to keep planting and contributing to our country’s food supply,” she emphasized.

As for logistics, DA RFO 02 has deployed 13 trucks to support the transport of farmers’ harvests. The hauling trucks are made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Farmers are therefore encouraged to coordinate early with DA RFO 02 to properly schedule the transport of their palay and ensure timely delivery to the NFA warehouses.

For assistance, farmers may contact their respective Research Center and Experiment Station (RCES) managers:

Ms. Norma Nerona

Southern Cagayan Research Center (SCRC), Iguig, Cagayan

0917-877-0312

Dr. Marilou Agaid

Northern Cagayan Experiment Station (NCES), Abulug, Cagayan

0917-779-5022

Engr. Rolando Pedro

Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC), City of Ilagan, Isabela

0927-5016-665

Dr. Jacqueline Gumiran

Isabela Experiment Station (IES), Gamu, Isabela

0915-667-6060

Mr. Arsenio Apostol

Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES), Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya

0926-646-8733

Mr. Salvador Bulda

Quirino Experiment Station (QES), Maddela, Quirino

0993-087-2359 / 0962-540-9541

They may also reach out to the General Services Office of DA RFO 02 for further details.

The DA RFO 02, in partnership with the NFA, remains committed to helping farmers attain better income and improved market linkages by promoting fair pricing and ensuring that no farmer in the region is left behind.

Via Barby L. Balcita, Information Officer I