By Brian Campued
The government is committed to expanding its “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program nationwide to realize President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal to make affordable rice accessible to Filipinos.
As testament to the administration’s continued efforts, consumers from the vulnerable sector can now buy P20 per kilo of rice in public markets following the President’s visit and launch of the BBM Na program at the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market in Bacoor, Cavite on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a Malacañang press briefing, underscored that senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have benefited from the initiative since its rollout last May.
“Diin ng Pangulo, hangad ng gobyerno na magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain sa hapag kainan ng bawat Pilipino,” Castro said. “Ngayon naman ay sisimulan na ang rice rollout sa mga public market para mas marami pang kababayan natin ang makinabang dito.”
According to the Department of Agriculture (D.A.), over 2,500 members of the vulnerable sector will benefit from the program’s rollout in Bacoor, with 500 sacks of rice procured from local farmers available through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets.
“For every sack of rice sold under this program, we remove two bags of palay from NFA warehouses—stocks that must be replaced by grain from our farmers,” D.A. Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. “This creates a sustainable market for local producers while helping Filipino households access affordable staple food.”
Data from the D.A.’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service show that more than 105,000 families in Luzon and Visayas bought over 804,000 kg of rice under the BBM Na program from May 13–June 30.
The government aims to reach 1 million beneficiaries by year-end and about 15 million across the country by next year as well as sustain the program until 2028, the agency added.
To date, 94 outlet sites for the program have been established across the country.
“Itutuloy ng D.A. ang nasimulan na ugnayan sa mga LGUs para mas marami pang palengke ang makapagbenta ng dekalidad at abot-kayang bigas,” Castro noted.
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