CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Over 145 bags of Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice at a price of P29 per kilo were sold by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) MIMAROPA through the Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) Barangay Forum on Thursday, November 28.
NIA MOMARO IMO Acting Division Manager, Engr. Ma. Victoria O. Malenab, said that this initiative aimed to provide affordable rice to the community while promoting the BBM rice program, which supports local farmers and ensures the availability of quality, affordable rice to Filipinos.
“Bitbit po ng NIA sa araw na ito ang mga BBM rice na P29 po per kilo. Sa isang sako po ng 10 kilos na may halagang P290 ay malaking tulong at kabawasan na po ito sa gastusin ng isang pamilya sa bigas dahil alam naman po natin na mataas ang presyo ng bigas ngayon sa merkado,” she said.
The sale was part of PIA’s Barangay Forum, which also provided a platform for various government agencies to reach out to residents with essential services, programs, and information along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), PhilHealth and PagIBIG Fund.
During the forum, NIA prioritized the provision of rice to senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs), solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members.
Lourdes Maghanoy, a senior citizen and one of the beneficiaries emphasized how valuable the services were to residents, particularly for those who may have difficulty accessing government programs in more distant areas.
“Nagpapasalamat kami at may ganitong klaseng programa ang gobyerno at nagpapasalamat kami dahil ang mga programang ito ay naipalapit sa aming lugar,” she said.
Barangay Councilor Sherwin Marzo expressed appreciation for the services provided by the various government agencies, which made vital programs and information more accessible to the community.
“Lubos na naging masaya at malugod ang Pamahalaang Barangay ng Metolza at malaki ang pasasalamat namin lalung-lalo na sa PIA pati na rin sa NIA, PagIBIG, PhilHealth at sa DILG. Dahil dito sa programang ito ay hindi na kami pupunta pa sa city [Calapan] para kumuha ng impormasyon at serbisyo dahil inilapit na sa amin,” said Marzo. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
