The Department of Agriculture recently recognized Bago City as one of the 2017 Rice Achievers during an event last week at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

“Bago has surpassed the national average yield for rice production,” said Bago City Agriculturist Carlito Indencia.

He also noted, of the seven provinces and 15 local government units awarded, Bago City was the only locale from the Western Visayas.

Indencia, alongside Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, received a trophy and check worth P1 million on behalf of the city.

According to the City Agriculture Office, in 2017, Bago City produced 4.20 tons per hectare higher than the 4.01 metric tons per hectare required to earn the award. The city also contributed to nearly 20 percent of the total rice production in Negros Occidental, which has resulted in Bago City attaining a 235.67 percent rice sufficiency level./WDJ