Manila: The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) announced the launch of a nationwide sale of its 'Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM)' rice, in collaboration with local government units (LGUs), set to commence in August. NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen revealed the plans during a phone interview, emphasizing the immediate nationwide rollout, with each province participating in the initiative.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative stems from a memorandum of agreement signed on May 27 between the NIA and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP). This agreement aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives focused on enhancing food security. In an interview with PTV's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Guillen highlighted the role of LGUs in promoting the program, which aims to provide more affordable rice options in public markets.

The BBM rice, priced at PHP29 per kilogram, will be sourced from local farmer cooperatives engaged in contract farming. Guillen explained that the government's financial position remains stable, as it purchases unhusked rice at higher prices while offering the milled rice at a lower cost. Under the contract farming arrangement, 80 percent of the farmer cooperatives' dry palay harvest is milled for commercial sale at PHP45 per kilogram, while the remaining 20 percent is reserved for the BBM rice sale, purchased at PHP25 per kilogram from local farmers.

Currently, more than 200 farmer cooperatives are participating in the contract farming program, benefiting from the collaboration between the NIA and LGUs.