TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — Individuals belonging to vulnerable sectors started buying rice at P29 per kilogram at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Kalinga Irrigation Management Office as the agency launched the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka Rice Program on Oct. 9, 2024.
Priority targets of the program are senior citizens, persons with disabilities, indigents, and solo parents who may buy up to 10-kilogram of rice each upon showing their identification cards.
“Agyaman kami ta ada naawat mi kastuy nga nalaka nga bagas ta dita ruwar ket nangina,” said 63-year-old Josephine Bariwan from Barangay Calaccad, Tabuk City.
[Thank you for the rice that we got at lower price; rice in commercial stores is expensive.]
“Dakkel ti tulong ti tao ken dakami met nga awan unay pangalaan mi,” said 64-year-old Francisco Canabang from Bulanao, Tabuk City.
[This is a very big help especially for us strapped for cash.]
The NIA-Kalinga reported that 5,000 bags of 10-kilogram rice supplied by irrigators’ associations (IAs) from Kalinga and Isabela who participated in the contract farming program piloted this year were available for sale. Under the arrangement, farmers are given P50,000 per hectare to cover farm inputs and other expenses.
During harvest time, they will in return supply five tons of palay to NIA-Kalinga.
The NIA-Kalinga aims to sustain the program to continue providing affordable rice to vulnerable groups.
“Haan kayo madanagan ta babaen ti pinagtitinnulong tayo, nu next year ket madoble daytuy target tayo, 852 hectares, so dawdawaten mi manen ti tulong yu mas lalo dagituy partners mi nga IAs,” said NIA-Kalinga Acting Division Manager Ferdinand A. Indammog in his message.
[Don’t worry, through our cooperation we will double our target next year to 852 hectares. So, we seek again your cooperation especially our partner IAs.]
The Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka Rice Program is in support to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to ensure food sufficiency for all Filipinos. (IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
