‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ Initiative Brings Affordable Rice to Camarines Sur.

LEGAZPI CITY: The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 5 (Bicol) announced on Thursday that 1,150 bags of affordable rice will be available for sale at different NIA Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores on Friday. In an interview, NIA-Bicol spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraero said rice will be sold for PHP29 per kilogram (kg) for the vulnerable sectors and PHP35 per kilogram for the general public. According to Philippines News Agency, the PHP29 per kilo, known as Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM Rice), can be bought by senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, while the PHP35 rate is available for everyone. Baraero mentioned that customers would be limited to a maximum purchase of 10 kg each. "For our vulnerable sector, please bring your identification card as proof that you belong to the (priority) groups," Baraero advised. The NIA Libmanan field office will make available 300 bags of BBM rice and 250 bags priced at PHP35 per kilo, while the NIA's Naga City office will offer 600 bags at PHP35 per kg. Baraero further mentioned that schedules for other Kadiwa stores are currently being finalized for the upcoming weeks. Earlier this week, more than 3,400 bags of affordable rice were sold at the Kadiwa store in Iriga City and Bulan, both located in Sorsogon.