By Brian Campued
Beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) “Walang Gutom” Program (WGP) are now eligible to purchase P20 per kilo rice under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
This as both agencies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the WGP Food Redemption activity in Tondo, Manila on Monday, sealing a partnership that would allow around 300,000 WGP beneficiaries to buy the cheaper rice.
DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian underscored that this initiative is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal to bring more affordable rice for Filipinos and help end hunger among vulnerable families, and ultimately achieve food security in the country.
“Kung matatandaan ninyo, ang instruction ng ating Pangulo ay siguraduhin na ‘yong pinaka-bulnerable na sektor ng ating mamamayan ay makikinabang sa P20 na bigas. Kung mayroon tayong tinatawag na food poor—‘yong pinakamahihirap—sila ‘yong mga benepisyaryo ng WGP,” Gatchalian said. “Ito ay patunay na ang food security ay number one sa listahan ng ating Pangulo.”
Under the WGP, each household beneficiary receives P3,000 worth of monthly food credits through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which they can use to buy nutritious food, such as rice, during scheduled redemption days.
The initial rollout of the BBM Na program covers solo parents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are enrolled in the WGP.
These beneficiaries can then buy P20 per kilo of rice through D.A.-accredited retailers and suppliers, including KADWIA outlets, that will participate in WGP food redemption activities.
“Natutuwa kami kasi excited sila na mas marami silang maiiuwi na pagkain gamit ang kanilang existing P3,000 food credits. Lagpas nang doble halos ‘yong halaga ng carbohydrates na maiuuwi nila,” Gatchalian said.
Aside from the rollout in Tondo, Manila, the program was also launched in Cebu province and the Caraga region—with plans for a nationwide expansion as the supply chain stabilizes, according to DSWD.
To support the smooth implementation of the program, all WGP-accredited retailers are equipped with point-of-scale devices linked to the EBT system, while kiosks will be installed at redemption sites to ensure clarity and transparency in each transaction.
With the “merger” of the BBM Na and Walang Gutom programs, which are both flagship anti-hunger initiatives of the Marcos administration, the government is also promoting the use of digital methods for easier and more efficient transactions.
“Kasama ito sa digitalization agenda ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang mga kiosk na ito ay makakatulong sa mga beneficiaries na i-redeem ang kanilang food credits, i-check ang kanilang transactions at i-access ang program information gamit ang QR codes or digital IDs,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
“Maliban sa food access, layon din ng programa na palawakin ang kaalaman sa teknolohiya ng mga beneficiaries lalo na iyong mga nasa liblib na lugar,” she added.
-jpv
