Negros Oriental: The Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) is preparing to implement the government's PHP20-per-kilo rice program in Negros Oriental. Alejandro Rafal, DA-NIR assistant director for operations and extension, revealed that the Negros Oriental provincial government has committed PHP10 million as a counterpart subsidy for this initiative.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rafal mentioned that a meeting was held with Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, who is awaiting the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's approval to enter into a memorandum with Food Terminal, Inc. The provincial government aims to acquire approximately 7,500 bags of 50-kilogram rice to serve eligible beneficiaries, as quoted by Rafal from the governor.

The program has already been launched in Cebu, and Rafal expressed hope that it will soon be rolled out in Negros Oriental and the Negros Island Region once they receive a copy of the Implementing Rules and Regulations. Under this initiative, Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) will purchase rice from the National Food Authority (NFA), which in turn sources palay and milled rice directly from local farmers.

Rafal assured that farmers will not be disadvantaged by the program, as the government guarantees a support price of PHP33 per kilo, which is well above market rates. To bridge the cost difference, the DA and the provincial government will each contribute PHP6.50 per kilo. Currently, the NFA in Negros Oriental has a stock of 1,034 bags of milled rice and 5,059 bags of palay.

Rafal added that if the local NFA cannot meet the requirement for the PHP20-per-kilo rice program, the DA will source additional rice from nearby areas since Negros Oriental is not self-sufficient in rice production.