MANILA, March 12 -- The National Food Authority (NFA) must prioritize the sale of its rice buffer stock to disaster response agencies, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday.

This came after the latest batch of preventive suspension orders from the Office of the Ombudsman which covered two more NFA officials over the alleged improper sale of NFA rice buffer stock.

In an interview, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the prime purpose of the NFA is to ensure the provision of rice for disaster response, considering the looming threat of La Nina.

"Importante kasi kapag may kalamidad at disaster, ang unang kailangan nating responde, kailangang may kakainin iyong tao. NFA na bigas iyong number 1 na kailangan ng DSWD (Departme...