P20/kg rice program expands to La Union

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THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded its P20 per kilogram (kg) rice initiative or the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! (BBM Na!) program to La Union and Baguio City.

The program was launched in La Union on Tuesday, July 15, and in Baguio City on Wednesday, July 16, in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs).

The launch in Baguio also coincided with the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Luzon earthquake.

The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) supplied 150 bags of rice, benefiting 750 individuals in Baguio City. 

Another 100 bags of rice were sold to 500 residents in Naguilian, La Union. 

The P20/kg rice program is available to members of vulnerable sectors, including Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this is part of their goal for affordable rice to reach more Filipinos across the country.

“Our target is to serve 15 million households — or about 60 million people, around half the country’s population — by the end of 2026,” he said. 

He added that this initiative is aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for the DA to make nutritious and affordable food accessible, especially to those who need it most

The BBM Na! program is now accessible in 162 locations nationwide, primarily through Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets. 

The rice used for the program is sourced from NFA’s stocks directly procured from local farmers.

“The subsidized rice program not only ensures [an] affordable food staple for consumers but also helps decongest NFA warehouses, making space to purchase more palay at prices higher than those offered by private traders,” said the DA.

The agency noted that each sack of rice sold through the program frees up space for two bags of palay.

Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, DA assistant secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, emphasized the importance of the program’s expansion to Northern Luzon. 

She also thanked the LGUs and FCAs that served as the agency’s partners in the launch of the program in the region.

“This is more than just a rollout; it’s a commitment to our people,” said Guevarra.

“Tunay na may Benteng Bigas sa Bagong Pilipinas. At ngayon, meron na rin dito sa Ilocandia,” she added.

Secretary Tiu Laurel also assured the public that the program is not a one-time initiative, but something that they plan to sustain until the end of President Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028. 

He added that through the program, they hope to empower local farmers and move toward food security.