Masbate hails Murang Bigas sa NIA’ program

By Ernesto Delgado

MASBATE CITY --- Low-income residents in Masbate City have expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration for the “Murang Bigas sa NIA” program, which has enabled them to purchase cheaper rice.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported that 350 residents were able to buy rice at P29 per kilogram during the program’s launch on September 13.

“P29 is close to President Bongbong’s promise to bring down the cost of rice to P20. I am grateful to him for trying to lower the price of our staple food,” said Gracia Pamaybay, a 43-year-old mother of seven from Barangay Nursery.

Senior citizen Ronda Panes of Barangay Bagumbayan echoed the sentiment, stating that the NIA’s offering of rice at P29 per kilo is a significant help for her, as she doesn’t have a permanent income.

“With P290, I have 10 kilos of rice that I can consume for several days. I hope there is a way to reach President Bongbong that I fully support him because he has programs that really help those who are suffering like me,” she said.

“When I purchased 10 kilograms of rice from NIA, I saved P260. I hope President Bongbong continues to work hard to lower food prices,” stated Maria Lourdes Albao, a single parent from Barangay Ibingay.

Ariel Marco, acting head of NIA’s Masbate Irrigation Management Office, said offering rice at P29 per kilo to low-income segments of the population is a vital step in ensuring affordable access to those in need.

“With this program, vulnerable sectors gain access to low-cost rice, providing economic relief for their families,” he said.

“Murang Bigas sa NIA embodies President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a future in which all Filipinos have access to affordable rice,” he added.

Under Murang Bigas sa NIA, rice would only be sold to segments of society who are most vulnerable to rising food prices, which include senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program.

Marco said they sold 350 10-kilogram bags of rice during the program launch.

The supply was sourced from the contract growing project of the NIA in Sorsogon province, he said.

Although Masbate’s primary products are rice and corn, the province actually imports rice from other provinces.

The prevailing retail price in Masbate City for regular milled rice is P50 per kilo, and for well-milled rice at P60. (Ernesto Delgado/PIA5 Masbate)