By Zen Trinidad

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Region 4A (Calabarzon), through the Cavite-Batangas Irrigation Management Office (IMO), held Thursday its “KabayaNIAn Agri-Trade Fair” in Naic, Cavite, where it offered rice at only PHP29 per kilogram (kg).

Vince Santoalla, the public relations officer for NIA 4A, said in a phone interview that the fair made available 1,000 bags of rice, each weighing 10 kilos, for PHP290 each at the Cavite-Batangas IMO in the town.

He said this initial stock is reserved for senior citizens, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, solo parents, and persons with disability (PWDs) in coordination with the Naic local government unit (LGU).

Santoalla said additional cheap rice stocks will become available for sale in September from the 79-hectare farm in Infanta, Quezon, cultivated by the Agos River Farmer Irrigators Association, Inc., as well as from other contracted farms in the Cavite-Batangas IMO area.

“We expect to have more rice available in September as farmers in Infanta, Quezon will start harvesting from the last week of August through the first week of September. Today’s rice comes from the harvest at the end of July,” Santoalla said.

At the fair, members of the irrigators association also offered other farm produce, including vegetables and high-value crops, at lower prices. (PNA) 

Published Date: August 15, 2024