Central Visayas registers highest rice distribution to barangays

CEBU, Philippines — Central Visayas posted the highest number of rice distribution activities to poor barangays, the National Food Authority said.

As of October 31, a total of 466 Tagpuan Day Rice Response Delivery (TRRD) activities were conducted in poor areas in Region 7.

Nationwide, at least 2,469 TRRD were conducted with 173,737 bags of NFA rice sold as of end October

TRRD brings the low-priced, government-subsidized rice closer to their intended poor beneficiaries in barangays across the country.

NFA administrator Tomas Escarez said in a statement the TRRD is a continuing rice distribution strategy where NFA rice at P27 per kilogram is sold directly to poor and marginalized beneficiaries at an appointed time and place, in coordination with the local barangay.

The program was launched last June 26, 2018. A total of 1.7 million consumers have since benefited from the program, NFA said.

Under this program, residents of certain barangays may request the NFA, through their barangay local leaders, to schedule a "Tagpuan" day in their area.

The rice distribution activity is set in coordination with the Confederation of Grains Retailers Association of the Philippines (GRECON), composed of licensed NFA retailers accredited to sell NFA rice

The program allows the residents from remote villages, including indigenous people, to buy the cheap NFA rice right within their barangays or place of residence. (FREEMAN)