Several participating stalls in the recently held “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” (KNP) program in the Bicol Region sold rice at PHP20 per kg.

In a news release Sunday evening, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), citing information from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), said the PHP20 per kg. rice was sold on April 25 during the launch of the KNP at NIA’s Albay-Catanduanes Irrigation Management Office (ACIMO) in Ligao City, Albay.

Among those prioritized to receive PHP20 per kg. rice are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, elderlies, and persons with special needs, according to the PCO.

Regular customers, on the other hand, were able to buy rice at PHP35 per kg.

“It serves as a way for Irrigators Associations (IAs) to return the blessings they received from the government to less privileged people for their community,” the NIA said as quoted by the PCO news release.

Aside from rice, the NIA said that different fruits and vegetables, several delicacies, and other farm products were also sold at affordable prices.

The project was made possible through the efforts of NIA Regional Manager Engr. Gaudencio M. De Vera, Albay-Catanduanes IMO Manager Engr. Jessie D. Baynas, and ACIMO IA Federation president Melanio Bañares.

The NIA emphasized that it remains committed to increasing rice production towards the realization of the “Bagong Pilipinas” envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PNA)