P20/kilo rice program to 

roll out in Bohol soon

By Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The P20/kilo rice program will soon roll out in Bohol, after the provincial government coordinated with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the implementation of the affordable rice program in the province.

“Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado has sent an intention to the Department of Agriculture (DA) of Bohol’s eagerness to sell the P20/kilo rice for selected beneficiaries,” said Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog during the recent Kapihan sa PIA program.

Quirog said that the DA and the National Food Authority (NFA) are currently coordinating for the rollout of the affordable rice program in the province, which is a realization of the campaign promise made by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

She said the P20/kilo rice program would also prioritize residents in the island barangay in addition to members of the vulnerable sector such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents.

“The governor wants the cheap rice, when it comes to Bohol, to be first available to the island barangays which are non-rice growing islands, in addition to the beneficiaries being still the senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, and those living below the poverty threshold,” added Quirog.

She explained that growing rice in the islands has proven to be a challenge, and rice farming is only available in the mainland towns and a few areas in President Carlos P Garcia, a coastal municipality.

“We wait until our partner can be ready to implement the program here in Bohol,” Quirog said.

‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Region 7 earlier in May sold rice to selected Boholano sectors at P29/kilo during the DA’s “Kadiwa sa Pangulo” agricultural fairs.

“The NIA rice is also limited to 10 kilo bags for every qualified beneficiary,” according to NIA7 information officer Zarline Sambas.

The NIA rice is from the agency’s Contract Farming Program, which aims to boost agricultural productivity and support farmers, especially in NIA-administered irrigation systems.

The program aims to create a more predictable and secure environment for agricultural production by facilitating agreements between farmers and NIA.

The program provides financial assistance to farmers, including farm inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, as well as cash for land preparation and harvesting, Sambas explained.

From the harvest, NIA directly buys palay from farmers, which also allows NIA to sell the rice at P29 to vulnerable sectors. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)