Gov’t starts selling P29/kg rice 

to vulnerable sectors in Bohol

By Elvira C. Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)–The Philippine government has started selling P29 per kilo rice in some National Irrigation Administration (NIA) offices to vulnerable sectors in the province.

On Oct. 23, NIA Region 7 launched the sale of ‘Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice @P29′ at the NIA Bohol Integrated Irrigation System (BIIS) Farmers’ Hall in Poblacion, Pilar town.

A total of 952 bags of freshly harvested and milled rice were sold at P290 per bag (10kilos/bag) to vulnerable members of the community – senior citizens, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, and persons with disabilities (PWD), with a limit of one bag per person only.

One of the recipients, 78-year-old Emeliana N. Tecson from Poblacion Pilar, is thankful because the 10 kilos of rice she received is sufficient to meet their needs for two weeks.

“Lami unta og magkanunay kini (It would be nice if it could continue),” said Tecson.

Melvey Palapar, 25, a solo parent, also expressed her thanks to the government for the affordable rice.

“Daku na kini og tabang ug hiaot nga magpadayon pa (This has been a great help and I hope it continues),” said Palapar during an interview.

During the three-day Kadiwa Ng Pangulo held at the Tagbilaran City Hall from Oct. 23-25, the ‘BBM P29 per kilo rice’ was also sold to vulnerable communities.

Due to overwhelming demand, rice stocks allotted for the event were swiftly sold out on the first two days of the event.

In response, NIA has increased the supply to 300 bags for the final day of the Kadiwa Ng Pangulo in Tagbilaran City on Oct. 25.

A total of 500 bags or 5,000 kilos were sold in the entire duration of the event.

Also on Oct. 25, eight hundred bags of 10 kilos BBM rice were also sold at the NIA Capayas Office in Calanggaman, Ubay town.

The events signify the start of the harvest season and a milestone following the successful implementation of NIA’s Farming Support Services Program (Contract Farming), which provided P50,000 per hectare to farmers for seeds, fertilizers, and cash.

“NIA’s Farming Support Program of P50,000 per hectare has empowered our farmers to overcome financial barriers, enabling farmers to fully cultivate their land and improve crop yields. As a result, the program helps increase rice availability at more affordable prices for the community,” said NIA-7 regional manager Engr. Rory F. Avance during the launching of the sale of BBM Rice in Pilar town on Oct. 23. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

BBM Rice @P29. Residents of Pilar town buy affordable rice pegged at P29 per kilo at the NIA Bohol Integrated Irrigation System (BIIS) Farmers' Hall in Poblacion, Pilar town on Oct. 23, 2024. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

BBM Rice @P29. Residents of Pilar town buy affordable rice pegged at P29 per kilo at the NIA Bohol Integrated Irrigation System (BIIS) Farmers' Hall in Poblacion, Pilar town on Oct. 23, 2024. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)