Agri chief launches P20 Rice Project in Bacolod City, rolls out RCEF seeds support

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. officially launched the P20 per kilogram Rice Project at the Burgos Public Market, Bacolod City, on June 5.

The program is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader goal to reduce hunger among vulnerable sectors by offering subsidized NFA rice at an affordable price. Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigent families are prioritized under the program, each allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice.

Secretary Laurel was joined at the ceremonial launch by Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, DA Negros Island OIC Regional Executive Director Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, and NFA Western Visayas Regional Manager Jasmin Lintag.

Laurel reiterated the government’s commitment to continue the program throughout the Marcos administration. “Produce ito ng ating mga local farmers. Asahan niyo na tuloy-tuloy ang programang ito. Pangako ni Presidente, habang siya’y nakaupo, magkakaroon tayo ng bente pesos na bigas para sa mga nangangailangan,” he said.

In a related event, the DA turned over certified inbred palay seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) worth P89.46 million to the Province of Negros Occidental on June 5 at the NFA Warehouse in Bacolod City. The seed support, weighing 20 kilograms per bag, will benefit over 40,000 farmers enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The seed allocation covers roughly 44,514 hectares of rice land during this year’s wet planting season.

The DA Philippine Rice Research Institute has already started delivering and distributing RCEF seeds to Negros Occidental LGUs, with Kabankalan City and Bago City receiving the largest allocations, 14,000 and 13,000 bags, respectively.

In addition to seed support, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), through Regional Manager Eva Ulie Laud, released P81,734.78 in indemnity claims to 10 rice farmers from Bago City who suffered losses from drought and pest infestation.

Farmer association leaders in Negros Occidental tackled key concerns in the agriculture sector and shared insights with Secretary Laurel on how to improve their production and marketing.

Myrna Villa, chair of the Newton Camingawan Farmers Association in Bago City, proposed a partnership with NFA using their Rice Processing Center (RPC) for local palay milling. In response, NFA Western Visayas Regional Manager Lintag said the facility would be tested for the required 60% milling recovery.

“Let us continue to spread good news that the P20 per kilogram rice has a real price of P33 per kilogram. The government is subsidizing the P13 through LGUs,” Villa said, noting the need to prevent palay prices from dropping to unsustainable levels.

Throughout the visit, Secretary Laurel emphasized his commitment to listening to the concerns of local farmers and stakeholders. “Nandito po ako para pakinggan kung ano man ang mga ideas niyo. Pakinggan ang mga isyu at problema para magawan ng paraan, pag-isipan at masolusyunan,” he said.

He added that one of President Marcos Jr.’s directives to cabinet members is to engage directly with stakeholders, hear their concerns, and work toward practical solutions to strengthen the country’s rice industry and food security.

On the other hand, to curb the continued infestation of Red-Striped Soft Scale Insects (RSSI) in sugarcane farms in Negros Occidental, the DA demonstrated the use of its Mobile Disinfection Unit to spray pesticides on affected sugarcane areas in Bacolod City.

Laurel also visited a sugarcane plantation to observe how the department’s disinfection unit can be used to expedite pesticide application on sugarcane. According to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), as of June 2, RSSI had already affected 546.10 hectares of sugarcane farms across 16 cities and municipalities in Negros and Panay Islands, impacting 294 farmers. The DA and the Bureau of Plant Industry are currently validating the affected farms. This process will be followed by pesticide spraying to help recover the infested crops.###Text by Sheila Mae Toreno/Photos by Khrysma Dei Caldina & Sheila Mae Toreno/DA-RAFIS 6