The delivery and distribution of rice under the Sagip Saka Act, or Republic Act No. 11321, has officially begun, disintermediating middlemen and traders so that farmers’ produce can go directly to local government units (LGUs). The program ensures higher incomes for farmers while strengthening the country’s food supply.
The Quezon City Government, with the support of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), became the first LGU to implement the Sagip Saka Act, following the arrival of the first batch of rice sacks last May 6, 2026.
Under this pilot implementation, an Ilocos Norte-based agricultural cooperative supported by NIA with the aim to strengthen community management and livelihood, also became the first to deliver rice for distribution to residents of District I and District IV of Quezon City.
From May to November 2026, the cooperative is expected to deliver a total of 228,732 sacks of rice, with each sack weighing 10 kilograms, equivalent to more than 2 million kilograms of rice. For the farmers of Piddig Basi Multipurpose Cooperative, this day is more than just about the delivery of their produce, but proof that their harvest has a secure destination and a fair price. With NIA’s assistance, cooperatives like theirs are becoming more organized, more capable, and better prepared to meet market demands.
