Manila, March 25 -- The National Food Authority (NFA) has pledged to buy the palay (unhusked rice) of local farmers, Malacanang said Tuesday amid reports that the grains agency has been unable to purchase larger quantities because of limited budget.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the NFA is ready to expand its rice storage to accommodate farmers who will sell their palay.

"Lahat po ng magbebenta na farmers, kailangan lamang po talagang pumila dahil peak season po ngayon at may mga magsasaka po na nauna na nagpalista at uunahin po lahat iyan (All the farmers who will sell, they just have to line up because it is peak season now and ...