A total of 500 bags of Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice were sold to vulnerable sectors at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in this city on Friday.
In a phone interview, Ma. Cleofe Baraero, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) spokesperson, said that aside from the BBM Rice priced at PHP29 per kg. also available to the general public was PHP35 per kg. rice.
“The 500 bags of BBM Rice were sourced from harvested produce under the contract farming program with the irrigators’ association (IAs). It is being sold for only PHP29 per kg, which is PHP290 per 10-kg. bag. For the general public, we have rice available at PHP35 per kg.. We also prepared 20 sacks, each containing 50 kg.. Customers can buy a maximum of 10 kg.,” she added.
Baraero said the BBM Rice is specifically designated for vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Elner Lawraya, a senior citizen from Daraga, Albay, expressed gratitude for the BBM Rice, saying it has helped him save money.
“This is very important. Now, with the money I have, I can buy other essentials needed by our family,” he said in an interview.
Lawraya hoped for the sustainability and continuity of the program. (PNA)
