By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government has allocated P5 million to buy palay, or rice, at P15 per kilo from farmers with fields measuring one hectare or less as a means of addressing the issue of low purchasing prices for rice. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said they will begin buying rice once “the mechanics” are ready.
He explained, the P5 million fund was from the annual investment plan, which was recently approved by the Provincial Development Council.
“The P5 million fund will be rolled over and, we believe, it could help address the problem,” Lacson pointed out.
The governor yesterday met with officials of concerned agencies and revealed the palay acquired by the province will be sold back to various government entities.
The Department of Agriculture called for the intervention of local government units after local rice farmers complained about low buying prices for palay, which claimed to be as low as P7 per kilo.
Lacson said the National Food Authority is currently buying palay at P20 per kilogram.
“We’re just assisting the NFA,” he noted.
The governor also said the capitol will continue buying palay for as long as it is needed./DGB, WDJ