DBM to release IRR on P41 billion direct purchase from farmers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is set to release this week the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the provision of the P41-billion direct procurement of harvests from farmers and fishermen.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said over the weekend that the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) has submitted to the Senate a copy of the IRR that would allow government agencies to buy food directly from farmers and fisherfolk, a key component in his Sagip Saka Law.

“The DBM, which supervises GPPB, committed to publish the guidelines early next week so there would no longer be any obstacle for easy and direct purchases from farmers and fisherfolk,” Pangilinan said.

“We are grateful for the IRR release and we hope that it would be disseminated to as many people as possible. At least P41 billion is allocated in this year’s budget of the Departments of Health, Social Welfare, Local Government and Education for the direct purchase program. The amount does not include the local government units yet,” he said.

“This huge amount will go directly to the pockets of our farmers and fishermen – a big help, especially during the pandemic, the flood of imports and the many storms that face those who feed us,” he added.

The released IRR calls for participation of local communities “through community or social groups, or members thereof, in the delivery of goods and simple infrastructure projects.”

The IRR states that the amount of goods and simple infrastructure covered should not exceed P5 million, while labor-only contracts should not go beyond P1 million.

The pilot implementation of the program will involve identified local government units and agencies, including the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Health, and Education.

“Direct purchase from farmers and fisherfolk means lower prices of quality food. This would ease the burden of our people who are barely making both ends meet,” Pangilinan said.