By Brian Campued
The Department of Agriculture (D.A.) continues to expand the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!” program of the Marcos administration with the rollout of P20/kg rice for the vulnerable sectors in northern Luzon.
The program was launched in La Union on Tuesday and in Baguio City on Wednesday, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Luzon earthquake.
The National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) delivered 150 bags of rice which benefitted 750 individuals, while 100 bags were distributed in Naguilian, La Union to aid 500 beneficiaries, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disability (PWDs).
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the expansion of the BBM Na program is pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to make affordable and nutritious food available and more accessible to Filipinos across the country.
“Ang target natin ay 15 milyong pamilya—tinatayang 60 milyon katao, o kalahati ng populasyon ng bansa—sa pagtatapos ng 2026,” Laurel said, stressing that the program will be sustained until 2028 to achieve food security, while strengthening the government’s support to local farmers.
In a media interview during the launch of the BBM Na program in Baguio City, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, said the affordable rice for the vulnerable sector will be made available on a regular basis at various KADIWA ng Pangulo stores.
“Ito ay higit pa sa rollout—ito ay pangako sa ating mamamayan… Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating LGU partners at mga kooperatiba ng magsasaka. Tunay na may Benteng Bigas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Guevarra said.
She added that the NFA warehouses have enough rice stocks to sustain the selling of P20 per kilo of rice, “Sabi ng NFA talagang punong-puno ang ating mga warehouse ngayon. The better that we can expand the program, the better that we can buy from our local rice farmers.” (with report from Janice Denis / PTV Cordillera)
-jpv
