BACOLOD CITY – The provincial government of Negros Occidental, in partnership with the Federation of Irrigators’ Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) Inc., started selling rice at P20 per kilo to vulnerable sectors in Pulupandan town on Tuesday, June 24.
THE provincial government of Negros Occidental in partnership with the Federation of Irrigators’ Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) Inc. start selling P20 per kilo rice to vulnerable sectors in Pulupandan town on Tuesday, June 24. (Photo via Pedro Limpangog)
FIACN-BRIS Inc. president Pedro Limpangog, in a media interview, said that 500 individuals – solo parents, senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also known as 4Ps – benefitted from the program.
Limpangog said that they allotted 50 sacks of rice for the launching at the Farmers' Training Center.
He said that these stocks were being sold at P25 through the Bigasan ng Bayan initiative of the provincial government and the FIACN-BRIS Inc. since 2023 in different towns, but they reduced the price this time to P20 to align with the national government’s rice program.
Limpangog said that each recipient was able to buy a maximum of five kilos of rice. They have to present an identification card as their data will be encoded to ensure no duplication and prevent overbuying.
He said they will coordinate with the provincial government where the program will next be conducted.
Limpangog added that as long as they have enough supply, they are willing to assist the province.
He said the provincial government is supporting rice farmers through farm inputs to enable them to produce more and good quality rice for the continuity of the program.
The provincial government has set aside more than P3 million to subsidize operations, enabling the farmers to sell at a cheaper price. The subsidy covers part of the labor and operational costs and may also extend to fertilizers.