P29/kilo BBM rice now sold daily

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The National Irrigation Administration in Bicol (NIA-5) on Monday started selling Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice in Camarines Sur daily, providing the public, especially vulnerable sectors of the community, with clean, newly milled, and affordable rice.

In a phone interview, NIA-5 spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraero said the rice, referred to as Bagasan Ara-aldaw (rice every day), is available at the NIA-Camarines Sur Irrigation Management Office (IMO) in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Magarao town in Camarines Sur.

“The BBM rice is priced at PHP29 per kilo for individuals in vulnerable sectors, which include senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and solo parents. For the general public, it is priced at PHP35 per kilo,” she added.

The general public can purchase a minimum of 5 kg. and a maximum of 10 kg. of rice.

The IMO is open Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have a sufficient and available supply of rice to sell every day. This milled rice comes from the December harvest of our partner irrigators association under the contract farming program,” she said.

The BBM rice has already been available in various Kadiwa stores throughout the region though not on a daily basis.

“So far, there are still irrigators associations milling their harvests so we can assure that we have supply available, which we hope will last until the next harvest season in May or June,” Baraero said.

She said the contract farming program will continue through 2025, covering all six provinces to boost rice production. (With a report from Angelica Serrano, OJT/PNA)