Manila, April 25 -- At least 162,877 bags of rice are ready for release by the National Food Authority (NFA) in Eastern Visayas to fulfill the promise of a PHP20 per kilogram price of staple food by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

NFA Acting deputy Administrator John Robert Hermano said they are preparing the release of cheaper rice in partnership with local government units and Food Terminal Incorporated.

"We have stocks, and we are currently milling in our warehouses in Leyte and Samar to meet the demand of our local government units," Hermano, who was in Leyte to lead the groundbreaking of a modern warehouse in Alangalang town, said.

He said they are capable of releasing more rice with a higher volume of palay (unhusked rice) proc...