By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Agriculture recently selected Negros Occidental as the pilot area for rural “bigas ng masa” program, following a proposed tripartite agreement between the said government agency, the provincial government, and a local farmer’s cooperative.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who recently visited the Bago City Rice Processing Complex (RPC), said the program intends to sell commercial rice for less than P40 per kilogram.

He noted, the facility will be turned over to a local cooperative, in an effort to maximize its use.

RPC had initially received P25 million in funding by the previous administration, along with an additional P35 million from the provincial government in 2012; however, the facility has remained idle for five years.

“It was only when I issued a warning that the department, under [President Rodrigo Duterte], will take back the Bago City RPC if it is not made useful did the facility become operational,” Piñol insisted.

The RPC is currently being operated by the provincial government.

Under the proposal, the co-op taking reins of the facility will receive a P20 million loan from the Department of Agriculture’s Credit Policy Council (ACPC) in order to provide additional loans to their members under the Production Loan Easy Access Program.

Another P20 million loan will also be extended in order for produce to be purchased.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist, Atty. Japhet Masculino, said he is drafting a memorandum of agreement which he will submit to Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., who will then put it before the Provincial Board for approval./DGB, WDJ