NIA-7 launches sale of P29/kilo rice

By Elvira Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 7 took a significant step in its efforts to support local farmers and vulnerable sectors by launching the “Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice @P29” initiative on Friday at the NIA-R7 Covered Court in Barangay Dao, this city.

Maria Mita Balacue, a resident from Barangay Cogon, thanked NIA-7 for the program as it is a big help for her as a solo parent.

“Daku kaayo ang kalipay nako ug pasalamat nila nga at least naka save gyud me among konsumo ron nga month. Bisan 10 kilos ra, at least ba, daku na gyud ni og tabang,” said Balacue.

(I am very happy and thankful to them that at least they saved me our consumption this month. Even if it’s only 10 kilos, at least, it’s a big help.)

The event was part of NIA’s Farming Support Program (Contract Farming), which equips farmers with essential resources to maximize land use and improve rice production.

The program, designed to provide farmers with seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and cash assistance all worth P50,000 per hectare, aims to boost rice yields and lower the cost of rice for consumers.

While it is not yet harvest season in Region 7, NIA Region 13 lent 1,000 bags of rice (10 kilos per bag) to kick start the initiative.

Due to the limited stocks, the rice distribution for now is focused exclusively in Tagbilaran City, where 1,000 vulnerable individuals—persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and single parents—have been selected to buy rice at the special rate of P29 per kilo.

Each barangay is represented by up to 66 individuals, with strict guidelines allowing only one bag of rice per household.

This will ensure that more communities across Bohol and Central Visayas can benefit from the program, making rice even more affordable for the public.

The “BBM Rice @P29” initiative exemplifies NIA’s continued commitment to supporting both farmers and vulnerable sectors, helping address food security challenges in the region. (ECB/PIA7 Bohol)

The 10-kg "Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka at NIA Tungo sa Makabagong Pilipinas" rice sold at P29/kg. NIA-7 announced that a grand launching of the BBM rice program, with a larger stock of rice, will take place during the upcoming harvest season of the farmer contractees in the region. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)