With the high cost of living, Aling Carmelita feels stretched thin trying to budget for food.

That’s why, as early as 3 in the morning, she lined up to buy the 29-peso-per-kilo “Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka” or BBM rice from the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Cordillera.

“This is a big help considering how expensive rice is now; those 10 kilos mean a lot,” said Carmelita Mauri, one of the BBM Rice Purchaser.

The rice was purchased by the NIA from farmers in Apayao and Kalinga.

“We’ve already distributed over 10,000 bags of BBM rice; they are the ones who grew our rice,” said Liza Jane Challikis, Chief Operation Section at NIA – CAR.

“Let’s be thankful we were given this compared to others who haven’t, and there’s still a long line,” Godfrey Sabpit, Agriculturist I at CVAO.

With so many buyers, some couldn’t avoid clashing in line, fearing supplies would run out.

“They said numbers were given to seniors at 3 a.m., which is why people are complaining. They said distribution would start at 8:00 a.m. If BBM gives us another chance, we’ll line up until afternoon, waiting for our rice,” said Rosel Fernandez.

“We told them we might not be able to accommodate everyone on the list; even though we want to,” Sabpit then clarified.

In the end, those who didn’t get rice were listed down to be prioritized in the next sale by the CVAO.

Priority for BBM rice is given to senior citizens, single parents, persons with disabilities, and 4Ps beneficiaries.

**JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR