• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region yesterday reported a retail price drop for premium (imported) rice of P2 per kilo in Negros Occidental.
However, the prices of locally produced rice remain at the P40 to P45 kilogram price levels, based on their monitoring, according to DA-NIR OIC-Regional Executive Director Jose Albert Barrogo.
Barrogo attributed the drop in prices of imported rice to it being bought by importers at a lower price.
He said the average price of premium rice is now between P50 to P55 per kilo. But Barrogo said that he has received reports of premium rice being sold at P48 per kilo in some public markets in Bacolod City, and in some areas in Negros Occidental.
In previous months, the price level of locally produced rice was reported at P50 per kilo.
Barrogo also said they are still awaiting the final decision of the provincial government of Negros Occidental on the rollout of the P20 per kilogram rice program in the province.
He assured the public that the rice for that program is of decent quality and not from their old stocks.
The P20 per kilogram rice program, which is slated for pilot implementation in the Visayas, is a hallmark initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Originally intended to last only until December this year, President Marcos has instructed the DA to revisit the plan and ensure its sustainability until the end of his term in 2028.
Through the P20 per kilogram program, high-quality quality yet affordable rice will be sold at KADIWA centers or by LGUs at their respective communities, making this new rice option available to Filipino households.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II earlier said that the selling of the P20 per kilo rice to prioritized sectors in Negros Occidental may start after the May 12 elections.
This follows the Commission on Elections imposition of a 10-day ban on the distribution of all forms of assistance, which took effect on May 2 and will end on May 12, election day.
Diaz said the provincial government has enough funds to implement the rice program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.*GPB
