Farmers to Supply Fresh Produce to Bicol Medical Center

NAGA CITY — In a move to support local farmers, the Bicol Medical Center (BMC), the largest hospital in the Bicol region, has entered into a direct procurement agreement with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The agreement enables BMC to source fresh agricultural produce from agrarian reform beneficiaries, serving its more than 3,000 patients and employees.

The signed agreement allows the 1,000-bed hospital to purchase rice, vegetables, root crops, and other produce from three local farmer organizations. This initiative not only provides economic opportunities to farmers but also ensures BMC of a consistent supply of affordable, fresh food.

Dr. Ronnie Gregorio B. Gigantone III, BMC Medical Chief, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in addressing the hospital’s growing needs. “With 1,300 beds and another 300 in the pipeline, we need a daily supply of agricultural products to feed our patients and staff,” he said. “Our 3,000 employees create a large market that can significantly benefit our local farmers.”

In 2022, BMC procured over PHP 1.4 million worth of agricultural products through a similar agreement. Gigantone views this renewed partnership as mutually beneficial, providing local farmers with a steady market while meeting BMC’s extensive food requirements.

The three farmer organizations — Panicuason Farmers Association, Siembre Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization, and May-Ogob Agrarian Reform Cooperative — are poised to meet the hospital’s daily food demands.

“Our farmers will receive fair prices for their products as BMC coordinates directly with them on food requirements and delivery logistics,” said Renato C. Bequillo, DAR’s agrarian reform chief for Camarines Sur II.

Bequillo highlighted that the partnership aligns with DAR’s nine-point agenda, which aims to enhance farmers' livelihoods through collaborations with government institutions and private entities. He expressed optimism about the future, saying, “I’m pleased that organizations like BMC are prioritizing the welfare of our farmers. We will continue to explore ways to expand this partnership.”

This collaboration falls under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty