BACOLOD City – The city government is set to launch its P20 per kilogram rice project this week.
Atty. Marty Go, secretary-to-the-mayor, said the city is now authorized to proceed with the purchase of rice from the Department of Agriculture after the midterm elections have concluded.
He expressed optimism that the P20 per kilo rice project would be available in selected barangays within the week.
As of May 15, Go stated that the city was awaiting the release of the purchase order from the Bids and Awards Committee, which would then be forwarded to the National Food Authority (NFA).
The City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (CCLDO) will oversee the implementation and selling of rice to residents.
Previously, the city government allocated P13.2 million for the procurement of 9,962 bags of rice. However, the DA later confirmed that only 5,880 bags, worth P7.7 million, are currently available for Bacolod.
“Amo lang na anay (5,880 bags) kay siling sang DA amo lang na ang available nga bags sa warehouse nila,” Go explained.
Under the program’s mechanics, the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) — the DA’s implementing arm —will purchase rice from the NFA at P33 per kilogram and sell it to local government units (LGUs) at a subsidized rate of P26.50 per kilogram. In turn, the LGUs will resell the rice to their constituents for P20 per kilogram.
The P13-per-kilogram subsidy will be jointly shouldered by the FTI and the concerned LGU.
The initiative aims to provide high-quality rice at a subsidized rate to ease the burden of high market prices on consumers.
This development followed the Department of Agriculture’s declaration of a Food Security Emergency triggered by a sharp increase in rice prices. The declaration was made upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council./PN
