By Xander Ledesma
The efforts to provide more affordable rice continue in Negros Occidental, with residents in Kabankalan City benefiting from the latest initiative on Wednesday. The Negros Occidental Irrigation Management Office (IMO) Satellite Office sold 500 bags of rice, each weighing 10 kilograms, at PHP29 per kilogram in Barangay Hilamonan.
The rice, branded as Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice, is part of the Farming Support Services Program, one of the pilot projects by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). It was sold to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.
Pedro Limpangog, president of the Federation of Irrigators’ Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS), highlighted the positive impact of government assistance on local rice farmers. He also shared that the association plans to introduce a PHP25 per kilogram rice sale in Binalbagan town.
Additionally, the FIACN-BRIS has been supporting the “Bigasan ng Bayan” program, offering 14,675 kilograms of milled rice at PHP25 per kilogram to priority groups. Last month, similar rice sales were conducted in Bago City.