LEGAZPI CITY – Rice will be retailed at PHP29 per kilogram in the six provinces of the Bicol in September, a National Irrigation Administration (NIA) official in the region said on Monday.
In a phone interview, NIA-Bicol Regional Manager Gaudencio De Vera said they expect a substantial harvest of palay (unhusked rice) from the 1,545 hectares (ha) under their contract farming program with NIA-assisted irrigators’ associations.
"We are expecting our harvest by September. The plan is to mill everything, then we can sell cheap, clean, and newly harvested rice for PHP29 per kilo or PHP290 per 10 kilograms per bag," he said.
De Vera said the 1,544 hectares are in Camarines Sur and Sorsogon where there are 24 and four NIA-assisted irrigators’ associations under the contract farming agreement, respectively.
He said the rice will be sold at various Kadiwa stores and NIA offices in the region.
"We are selling this in Kadiwa stores and NIA offices to monitor for those that may take advantage. We will prioritize selling to our senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disability, and other less privileged sectors and individuals," he added.
De Vera said they are expecting more than 7,720 metric tons of palay to be harvested. (PNA)
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