By Brian Campued
The Department of Agriculture (D.A.) is targeting to expand the “Benteng Bigas, Meron (BBM) Na” Program across Metro Manila in March, with at least five sites set to be established per local government unit (LGU) in the region.
In a news release Thursday, the D.A. said the planned full-scale expansion of the program next month comes in time for the harvest season for palay.
“Our goal is simple: bring affordable rice closer to our constituents and ensure vulnerable sectors are directly served,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
“This expansion underscores our firm commitment to food security and to easing the financial burden on Filipino families,” he added.
On Wednesday, the DA and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) held a meeting with Metro Manila LGUs to expedite and streamline the expansion of the P20 rice program.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes vowed active monitoring to ensure wider reach of the program, stressing, “Affordable rice must reach as many Metro Manila families as possible.”
DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) Director Junibert de Sagun likewise called on LGUs to fast-track compliance and documentation to prevent delays in program implementation.
“Close coordination with LGUs and DA-FTI (Food Terminal Inc.) is critical to ensure efficient distribution and sustained supply of P20 rice,” the official said.
A flagship initiative of the Marcos Jr. administration, the BBM Na Program offers quality rice at P20 per kilo and aims to reach up to 15 million Filipino families under the full-scale expansion.
The expanded rollout in Metro Manila will prioritize senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), minimum wage earners, members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs), farmers, fisherfolk, and other qualified groups.
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