LEGAZPI CITY, July 21 -- The National Food Authority in Bicol (NFA-5) is expanding its warehouse capacity and post-harvest facilities to boost palay procurement, strengthen buffer stocks and support local farmers, an official said Tuesday.

In an interview, NFA-5 Assistant Regional Manager II Julie Llenaresas said the agency is constructing three warehouses in Libon, Albay; Libmanan, Camarines Sur; and Virac, Catanduanes under its modernization program.

The facilities will be equipped with rice mills, mechanical dryers, and other post-harvest equipment, enabling the agency to increase procurement while maintaining grain quality.

Llenaresas said the Libon facility is about 75 percent complete, with milling and drying equipment already de...