BACOLOD CITY — Two more outlets of the Tagpuan Rice Response Delivery Program were launched here by the National Food Authority (NFA)-Negros Occidental this week.
The outlet in Barangay Felisa opened on Friday to start selling PHP27 per kilo of government rice.
It is the fifth “Tagpuan” here after the fourth one in Barangay Singcang-Airport was opened on Wednesday.
NFA-Negros Occidental provincial manager Frisco Canoy said the concept aims to bring “cheaper yet quality” government rice closer to the public, especially those in the marginalized sector.
“Tagpuan” centers, usually mobile, are set up in certain villages aside from the regular rice retail outlets accredited by the NFA.
Canoy said the “Tagpuan” benefits at least 500 barangay residents during the launching.
Each consumer is allowed to buy up to two kilograms of NFA rice.
The program, implemented by the NFA in collaboration with the Grains Retailers Confederation (Grecon) in Negros Occidental, is allocating 20 bags of government rice in every barangay with “Tagpuan” outlet.
The three other outlets areas are in Barangay Banago, launched on September 13; Barangay Sum-ag, which started on September 4; and Barangay Granada, which opened on September 12.
The NFA refers to “tagpuan” as a place where people would usually converge like markets and barangay halls.
Canoy said regular NFA rice outlets cannot cater to all marginalized consumers thus, “Tagpuan” is positioned to address such gap.
“We are ensuring that those availing the cheaper government rice are mainly the poor,” he added.
Canoy said more “Tagpuan” centers will be opened in Negros Occidental, including those outside Bacolod City.
The NFA has been receiving applications from some retailers, which are subject to validation.
Canoy added that the NFA is closely coordinating with Grecon for other retailers interested in putting up “Tagpuan” outlets in the province. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
