NIA SELLS OVER 380,000 KILOS OF RICE DURING BBM RICE GRAND LAUNCHING
More than 380,000 kilograms of Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice were sold to members of the vulnerable sector across the country as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) held the Grand Launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka Rice (BBM Rice) on September 13, 2024 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.
NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen led the said event which was held simultaneously in all NIA Regional Offices nationwide. Data gathered by NIA Central Office reveal that 38,198 sacks of rice (10 kilograms per sack) were sold throughout the country. Caraga recorded the highest sales of 9,905 sacks, followed by Region XII (5,790 sacks) and MIMAROPA (5,634 sacks). These sacks of BBM rice were sold to the vulnerable sector composed of senior citizens, persons with special needs, solo parents, and members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). It became possible with the successful implementation of NIA Rice Contract Farming Program. The program is in line with the #BagongPilipinas and food security thrust of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
House Speaker Hon. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker for the grand launching. House Committee on Appropriations Chair Hon. Elizaldy S. Co, House Senior Deputy Speaker Hon. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, representatives from different national and local government agencies, NIA officials and employees, Irrigators Association (IA) officers, and farmers were present in the event.
In his message, NIA Administrator Guillen extended his gratitude to President Marcos, House Speaker Romualdez, Cong. Co, and other members of the House of Representatives for the passage of additional budget allocation to NIA for Fiscal Year 2024. He also expressed his admiration to the efforts and sacrifices of the Filipino farmers who served as the key players of the NIA Rice Contract Farming Program.
“Ang paglulunsad ng BBM rice sa lahat ng NIA Regional Offices sa buong bansa ay isang hudyat na naisakatuparan natin ang mithiin ng Bagong Pilipinas. Hindi po ito magiging possible kung wala ang ating bayanihan, gayundin ang walang-sawang suporta mula sa ating House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez at House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Hon. Elizaldy Co. xxx Sa ating mga magsasaka, kami po ay hanga at saludo sa inyo. Ang inyong dedikasyon at sakripisyo ang siyang nagbibigay-pagkain sa ating mga hapag kainan. Kayo po ang sandigan ng isang masaganang pamayanang agrikultural”, the Administrator said.
With the successful launching of NIA Rice Contract Farming Program, NIA remains committed to its objective of providing vital contribution towards food security and better quality of life for Filipinos.
#BagongPilipinas
#bayaNIAn
#NIAGearUp