Negros Oriental: The Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) is currently awaiting the completion of necessary requirements by the provincial government of Negros Oriental to initiate the rollout of the government's PHP 20 per kilo rice program, an official disclosed on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA-NIR Executive Director, Engineer Jose Albert Barrogo, stated that the rollout cannot proceed unless all the necessary documentation from the provincial government is finalized. Barrogo highlighted that among the three provinces and one highly urbanized city, Bacolod City is the only area that has completed the paperwork. They are now coordinating with the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) to move forward with the rice rollout in Bacolod.

Barrogo further explained that while the Negros provinces are in the process of completing their documents and signing the memorandum of agreement, Siquijor province has decided to postpone the rice program. The governor of Siquijor is currently prioritizing the handling of glanders disease cases in the region. Despite these delays, Barrogo assured that there is no issue with rice buffer stocks, as the DA-NIR is prepared to source additional supplies from other provinces if the National Food Authority in Negros Oriental faces shortages.