NIA-LMP partnership eyed for BBM rice sale expansion

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) announced on Friday its plans to collaborate with the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) to expand the distribution of Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice across the country.

The partnership aims to enhance access to BBM rice in support of the food security and affordability goals of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.

BBM rice, sourced from fresh local harvests under NIA’s contract farming program, is sold at P29 per kilogram to priority sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

In a Viber message, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen stated that the agency is working toward finalizing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the LMP by early in the second quarter.

“End of April po ang target namin. Ayusin po namin [ang] (We are targeting by the end of April. We will organize the) mechanics,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

The initial MOA draft outlines a joint effort to establish a “sustainable mechanism” for food security through the purchase, milling, and distribution of rice.

Under the agreement, NIA will oversee the procurement of fresh palay from accredited irrigators’ associations (IAs), the milling process, and supply stability for municipal local government units (MLGUs). Meanwhile, the LMP will assist MLGUs in participating in procurement and sales, while coordinating with accredited cooperatives to expand retail distribution at affordable prices.

“Kung tutulong po ang LMP, isipin po natin sana lahat ng palengke sa ating bansa pwede mong i-access iyan [BBM rice] (If the LMP will help, imagine that hopefully all of the markets nationwide can make this BBM rice accessible),” Guillen said in a separate interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon aired over PTV.

As of now, Guillen reported that at least 

25 million kilograms (25,000 metric tons) of palay harvested under the contract farming program have already been milled.

NIA data shows that at least 4 million consumers from 217 municipalities nationwide have benefitted from BBM rice sales.

Guillen also assured that the country’s irrigation supply remains sufficient despite the approach of the summer season.

“Wala naman po tayong problema sa kinakaharap pagdating po sa supply ng irigasyon natin. Sa katunayan, mayroon pa po tayong double dry cropping ngayon (We are not facing any problem when it comes to our irrigation supply. In fact, we are now having double cropping),” he said.

According to Guillen, NIA is capable of irrigating at least 350,000 hectares for the ongoing double cropping cycle, which began in March.

Regarding irrigation infrastructure damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) and Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi), he assured that repairs are ongoing in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

“Sa kasalukuyan naman po, ginagamit natin iyong ating mga equipment para ma-repair iyong mga damages sa ating mga (We are currently using various equipment to repair the damage in our) irrigation facilities,” Guillen said.

He added that about 60 percent of the repair work has already been completed.