[ NFA ANNOUNCEMENT, February 06, 2004 ]

REGIONAL ALLOCATIONS



<DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY>Be informed that a total volume of 310,000 metric tons is now available for regional allocation.

The regional distribution of allocation which is based on the percent of rice land harvested in a region over the National Hectarage is as follows:

<BLOCKQUOTE><table width="100%"  border="0">
  <tr>
    <td width="49%">Region</td>
    <td width="51%">Allocation</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>In Metric Ton</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Philippines</td>
    <td>310,000</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><p>NCR</p>
    </td>
    <td>1,457</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Ilocos Region</td>
    <td>28,892</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Cagayan Valley</td>
    <td>40,362</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Central Luzon</td>
    <td>43,369</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Southern Tagalog</td>
    <td>27,714</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Bicol Region</td>
    <td>21,111</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Western Visayas</td>
    <td>44,857</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Central Visayas</td>
    <td>6,727</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Eastern Visayas</td>
    <td>17,577</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Western Mindanao</td>
    <td>13,020</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Northern Mindanao</td>
    <td>14,694</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Southern Mindanao</td>
    <td>19,158</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Central Mindanao</td>
    <td>17,701</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>A R M M</td>
    <td>13,361</td>
  </tr>
</table></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fifty percent (50%) of the regional allocation shall be divided equally among qualified FOS in the regions under this scheme, qualified FOS must secure NFA license as importer on or before 27 February 2004 to be given allocation.

The remaining 50% of the regional allocation shall be opened on a first-come-first -served basis to qualified FOS within the region subject to provisions of Memorandum Circular AO-2K3-12-003 dated January 13, 2004.

FOs shall have until April 30, 2004 to open/avail letters of credit and/or other financial instruments. Otherwise, their allocation shall be forfeited, pooled and be open/made available on a first-come-first-served basis through a national pool/allocation to FOS nationwide.

The total maximum volume of 1,500 mt will continue to be applicable.  FOS who have already availed the maximum volume are no longer entitled to import for the current year.

For strict compliance.

Adopted: 06 February 2004


<CENTER>(SGD.) ATTY. ARTHUR C. YAP
<I>Administrator</I></CENTER></DIV>