Pulupandan: About 500 beneficiaries in Pulupandan town availed of PHP20 per kilo rice through the 'Bigasan ng Bayan' initiative of the Negros Occidental provincial government and the Federation of Irrigators' Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, FIACN-BRIS president Pedro Limpangog mentioned that after offering rice at PHP25 per kg since 2023, they discovered a method to sell rice at an even lower price to align with the 'Benteng Bigas, Meron (BBM) Na!' program of the national government. Limpangog emphasized their commitment to ensuring the continuation of this initiative, adding that FIACN-BRIS is working closely with the provincial government in this program.

Eligible beneficiaries, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, were able to purchase five kilos of rice each for PHP100. The sale took place at the Farmers' Training Center with the assistance of the Municipal Agriculture Office.

Limpangog noted that the rice supply was sourced from a farmer in Barangay Ayungon, Valladolid, who harvested palay on June 7. The harvested rice was dried on June 8 and 9 and subsequently milled on June 11 at the Tabunan Rice Processing Center in Bago City.

Currently, the palay supply remains limited as farmers in the BRIS northern district have just begun planting and the irrigation system in the southern district has recently opened. However, Limpangog expressed optimism that by October, production will increase with the support of the provincial government.

In previous years, the province engaged FIACN-BRIS, under the National Irrigation Administration-Negros Occidental Irrigation Management Office, for its Dagyaw Project aimed at producing high-yield rice at lower production costs. This project involved job order workers, who are also association members, in planting crops and operating farm machinery.

The FIACN-BRIS comprises 44 irrigators associations with members in the cities of Bacolod, Bago, and La Carlota, as well as the municipalities of Murcia, Pulupandan, Valladolid, and San Enrique.