PHP20 Rice Program Launches in Pulupandan

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental provincial government, in partnership with the Federation of Irrigators’ Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) Inc., launched the PHP20-per-kilo rice program for vulnerable residents in Pulupandan town on Tuesday.

FIACN-BRIS president Pedro Limpangog said about 500 individuals—including solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries—benefited during the kickoff held at the Farmers’ Training Center.

Fifty sacks of rice were allocated for the initial distribution.

Limpangog said the rice, now sold at PHP20 per kilo, was previously priced at PHP25 under the “Bigasan ng Bayan” initiative, which has been running in various towns since 2023.

He said the price cut supports the national government’s directive to make rice more affordable for low-income families.

Each beneficiary was allowed to buy up to five kilos of rice, and valid IDs were required to prevent duplication and ensure fair distribution.

Limpangog said coordination with the provincial government is ongoing to identify other rollout areas.

He assured that FIACN-BRIS will continue to support the program as long as supply is available.

To sustain the initiative, the provincial government earlier allocated over PHP3 million to subsidize operational costs.

This includes providing farmers with inputs and assistance for labor and fertilizer costs, allowing them to produce quality rice at reduced prices.