NIA Central Office – Federation of Irrigators Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region VI, headed by Acting Regional Manager Jonel B. Borres, sold rice for Php 25 per kilogram (kg) in partnership with the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental on “Bigas ng Bayan” opening day on October 12, 2023 at Food Terminal Market, North Capitol Road, Bacolod City.
The Php 25 per kilo rice was made possible through the convergence of all sectors of society. The FIACN-BRIS of the Negros-Occidental Irrigation Management Office (IMO), led by Federation President Pedro Limpangog, allotted the 10 percent of their total production to the Negrenses at Php 25 per kilo that can be availed up to 5 kgs per consumer only. Priority consumers were senior citizens, indigents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). At least 455 individuals availed of the low-priced rice on its opening day.
Prior to this, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, tapped the FIACN-BRIS in its Dagyaw Project, an initiative that promotes farm-level productivity interventions. They produced high-yield rice at a lower production cost with the aid of Job Order (JO) workers, who are also Irrigators Association (IA) members, in farming activities such as planting crops and running farm equipment and machinery.
With the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. directives for “cooperation, collaboration, and convergence,” NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen boosts the Agency’s partnerships with different National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and private sector to ensure food security and agricultural productivity despite agricultural challenges and threats such as El Niño. The combined efforts and initiatives of the FIACN-BRIS, provincial and local government units, and the NIA is a testament to the PBBM Administration’s vision of combating hunger and poverty and achieving food sufficiency and security across the country.
NIA continues its commitment in developing efficient and sustainable irrigation systems to uplift the lives of the Filipino farmers with the aim of propelling wealth creation opportunities in the agricultural sector of the country.
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For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:
EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
Email: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741
