PASAY CITY, Metro Manila—The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to confer the 2017 Rice Achievers Awards to outstanding provinces, cities and municipalities, irrigators’ associations (IAs), and small water irrigation system associations (SWISAs) for their dedicated efforts to the rice industry.

Seven provinces and 15 cities and municipalities will be recognized during the awarding ceremony on May 31, 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center. They will each receive trophies and checks for Php4 million and Php1 million cash prizes, respectively.

Eight IAs for the national and communal irrigation system categories and three SWISAs will also be awarded at the event with trophies and checks for Php500,000 each.

The Rice Achievers Awards is a DA-wide annual event that recognizes the efforts of outstanding rice producers in the Philippines. Now on its seventh year, the program is one of DA’s ways of motivating and showing appreciation for institutions, groups, and individuals for their contributions in its food sufficiency thrust.

Aside from the provinces, municipalities and cities, IAs, and SWISAs, more than 400 agricultural extension workers and 65 local farmer technicians will each receive prizes including Php20,000 cash. Special awards will also be given to 15 provinces, seven IAs, and 10 SWISAs.

Senator Cynthia Villar and DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol are expected to grace the awarding ceremony, together with officials from the National Irrigation Administration, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, and other DA bureaus and attached agencies.

Officer-in-Charge Director Luz Taposok will lead the delegation from the Agricultural Training Institute which serves as the national secretariat for the activity, in cooperation with the DA National Rice Program and Field Operations Services.