By Mariela Angella Oladive
In celebration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s birthday, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) launched the P29 per kilo Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice at the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo sa NIA” event on Friday, Sept. 13, at the NIA Gymnasium in Barangay Tacas, Jaro.
The program distributed 1,000 bags of 10-kilogram BBM rice to marginalized sectors, including persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens across Western Visayas.
The well-milled rice was offered on a first-come, first-served basis, providing much-needed relief to those affected by rising living costs.
Along with rice, the Kadiwa store offers affordable products such as vegetables, fruits, eggs, and processed foods.
Acting NIA Region VI Manager Jonel B. Borres explained that the low rice price is made possible through the government’s Contract Farming Program.
“Our P29 per kilo price is part of the government’s initiative to provide affordable rice by eliminating middlemen and directly selling the produce. This was made possible through the Contract Farming Program, which NIA prioritizes. We conducted our first pilot in June, and this is only the beginning,” Borres said in an interview.
The contract farming system involves a memorandum of agreement between farmers and NIA, offering financial support and farming inputs to reduce expenses and boost production.
Borres added that the program’s pilot covers 1,200 hectares in Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Aklan, and Negros.
“We aim to achieve a production yield of five metric tons per hectare, up from the current average of 3.6 metric tons per hectare. By the end of the year, we hope to expand to 4,000 hectares,” he added.
The BBM rice sale was launched simultaneously in 13 NIA regional offices nationwide. Initially focused on marginalized sectors, the program will eventually be open to the general public as it becomes sustainable.
Beneficiaries of the program expressed gratitude.
“This is a big help. The cost of rice has been high, but with this program, we can buy it for only P29 per kilo. The 10 kilos will last about a week for our family,” said 77-year-old Angeles Tamayo Orquejo of Barangay Balabago, Jaro.
Jolly Pama, a 48-year-old trisikad driver and PWD member, said the rice would last his household two weeks, especially with market prices currently around P60 per kilo.
The BBM rice program is one of President Marcos’ flagship initiatives, aimed at providing low-cost rice to vulnerable groups through the government’s Kadiwa stores.
During his 2022 campaign and presidency, Marcos has repeatedly promised to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo, though this goal remains unfulfilled.
