• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday assured the public of quality rice to be sold at P20 per kilo under the government’s Food Security Emergency Program.
Jose Albert Barrogo, DA officer-in-charge regional director for Negros Island Region, said the rice to be sold is 0-3 months old.
Persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and solo parents will be prioritized in the program.
Under the program, local government units (LGUs) will buy the rice at P33 per kilo from the National Food Authority and they will sell it at P20 per kilo.
The P13 difference will be split, with the DA through its Food Terminal Inc., covering P6.50 and the participating LGUs shouldering the remaining P6.50.
On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program will introduce the P20 Rice Project in Kadiwa centers on May 2.
Beneficiaries will be allowed to purchase up to 30 kilos of rice per month.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday that the provincial government will join the program. | GB
