BACOLOD CITY — In an initiative to support community members in need, farmers from the Federation of Irrigators' Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) sold rice at a reduced rate of PHP 25 per kilogram at the local 'Bigasan ng Bayan'.
According to Philippines News Agency, during this event held on Tuesday at the Food Terminal Market, each of 470 individuals purchased five kilograms of the staple. This sale is part of an ongoing partnership with the provincial government aimed at using proceeds to replenish rice stocks for future sales.
The FIACN-BRIS consists of 44 irrigators' associations, categorized into North and South Districts. Limpangog highlighted that the rice sold was harvested by members from the South District, which includes areas such as Bago City, La Carlota, Valladolid, and Pulupandan. This initiative follows a similar event in October, where 455 people benefited from the low-priced rice.
The 'Bigasan ng Bayan' initiative prioritizes senior citizens, indigents, and persons with disabilities as its main consumers. The provincial Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, present at the sale, commended the irrigators' associations for their 'selfless act' in making essential food more accessible at affordable prices, noting such efforts as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The FIACN-BRIS operates under the supervision of the National Irrigation Administration-Negros Occidental Irrigation Management Office and collaborates with the provincial government on the Dagyaw Project. This project aims to produce high-yield rice crops at minimized production costs, with the support of job order workers, who are also members of the association, for planting and operating farm machinery.