In celebration of the 38th anniversary of SIPAT on Friday, September 13, the National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera Administrative Region (NIA-CAR) launched the ‘Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka Rice’ program in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet. They prioritized senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs), solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members.
The program aims to provide rice at an affordable price of ₱29 per kilo, helping local communities cope with rising food costs. It was made possible through a partnership with the Irrigators’ Association under a contract farming agreement. It allows NIA to supply farmers with seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, and other resources to boost rice production.
In an interview with Paulita Yagyagan, Head of NIA-CAR’s Institutional Development Unit, she stated that the program’s initial target is to sell 1,500 sacks of rice to registered buyers in La Trinidad, with an additional 500 sacks for walk-ins, making a total of 2,000 sacks of 10-kilo rice, directly from the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao.
When asked if this program is for family or individual, Ms. Yagyagan answered, “Per family actually, kasi ang proposal namin sana, lahat ng Pilipino family makatikim o maka-experience na makabili ng mababang [presyo] ng bigas, yun yung program ng ating presidente ‘dba? but now, ag-start tayo paylang isunga suruten tayo ah didiay, maysa kuma a pamilya ti mangala laeng ti 10 kilos nga rice ngem nu adun ti production, why not nga amin? Everybody open daytan, open jay market parang ganoon.”
(Per family, actually, because our proposal is for every Filipino family to have the chance to buy and experience low-priced rice, which is part of the [Philippine] president’s program, right? But for now, we’re just starting, so we’ll follow that. It would be better if each family could get only 10 kilos of rice for now, but if production increases, why not let everyone have access? That would open up the market for everybody.)
Meanwhile, Arthur Shontogan, a Board Trustee of the Benguet Farmers Federation of Irrigators Association (BFFIA) expressed their support for the program. “Daytoy nga programa a ket mayat ta naikkan dagitoy senior citizen ken dagitoy persons with disabilities inya, isuda dagiti priority … santo makaraman ti Filipino ti usto nga bagas wennu inapoy,” he said.
(This program is good as senior citizens and persons with disabilities were given priority…giving access to Filipinos to taste quality rice.)
A senior, beneficiary, and La Trinidad resident, 64-year old Zenaida also voiced appreciation for the program, saying, “Ay dakkel ti naitulong na dayta ta imbes nga diay 290 [pesos iti bagas] magatang ko pay ti dadduma.”
(That is a big help because instead of spending 290 [pesos for rice], I could buy it for other necessities.)
She also added, “Mayat. Adda kuma nga kanayun ti kastoy nga programa.”
(It’s nice. I hope there will be more programs like this.)
Aside from rice, members of the irrigators’ association (IA) sold vegetables grown in various municipalities across Benguet. These IA members include Abiang Purok Association for Better Living; Apunan, Bulalacao, Ubod, Debeng, Ili, Chagachag, and Karel Irrigators’ Association (ABUDICK IA); Taloy Sur IA; Kalabushabuel Community, Masala Madaymen Farmers Irrigators’ Association Inc., and Catlubong IA.
The ‘Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka Rice’ program is expected to be implemented in other provinces in the following months while empowering local farmers in the region. By Joan Dalacan
