NFA celebrates 40th founding anniversary

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority will celebrate its 40th founding anniversary with a three-day activity at the Food Development Center in Taguig City from Sept. 24 - 26. 

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Apatnapung Taon ng Kaseguruhan sa Pagkain, Ipagpatuloy at Pagyamanin”. 

Invited to this special occasion are President Benigno S. Aquino III; Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food chairman Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan; House  Committee on Agriculture and Food chairman Mark Leandro L. Mendoza; Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala; former NFA administrators  Jesus T. Tanchanco, Rep. Emil L. Ong, Romeo G. David, Joemari D. Gerochi, Eduardo Nonato N. Joson II, Domingo F. Panganiban, Anthony Robert  A. Abad, Rep. Arthur C. Yap, Gregorio Y. Tan, Jr., Jessup P. Navarro; Taguig Mayor Laarni L. Cayetano and other distinguished personalities.

 Administrator Angelito T. Banayo will lead the 4,637 employees nationwide in commemorating the agency’s 40-year existence with different activities highlighted by the awarding of outstanding NFA central and field offices as well as employees under the NFA Program on Rewards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).  

A thanksgiving mass to be officiated by Fr. Gerry Orbos will commence the series of activities that include exhibition games, fun run and mass calisthenics; livelihood, health and psycho-social seminar and lectures; photo exhibit and multi-media presentation tracing the history and significant achievements of NFA; raffle draw and bingo socials; special dance and musical presentation by the NFA Chorale; a regional exhibit showcasing the different rice and rice-based products and noted delicacies/specialties of 15 regions; postharvest facilities and machineries exhibit; feeding activity featuring iron-fortified rice (IFR) food tasting and promotion with the special appearance of the IFR mascot.

The NFA Employees Association has also initiated other activities such as a National Installation Art Competition (NIAC) with the theme “Sapat na Pagkain Mula sa Pambansang Produksiyon”; selling of NFAEA 40th anniversary raffle tickets, shirts and souvenir items. 

The Installation Art contest is open to all personnel and stakeholders of the NFA from all the 16 geographic regions including the central office.  Each region shall have one entry to the competition.  One entry shall also be fielded by the central office. 

At the NFA field offices, celebration will be marked by thanksgiving mass, sports competition, tree-planting, awarding of outstanding employees and the annual celebration of the National Grains Industry Week which falls from Sept. 20-26 by virtue of Proclamation No. 1058 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos 

At the NFA-National Capital Region (NFA-NCR), a Search for Miss NFA will be the highlight of this milestone celebration.