MANILA – The government’s P20-per-kilo rice initiative is more than just financial aid—it is a targeted strategy to stabilize food prices and strengthen the agricultural sector, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Monday.
Implemented under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program, the initiative has already benefited over six million Filipinos across 82 provinces, reflecting its expanding nationwide reach.
Recipients include vulnerable and essential sectors such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, minimum wage earners, as well as farmers, fisherfolk, transport workers, and education personnel.
Tiu Laurel emphasized that the program plays a dual role—providing affordable rice to consumers while ensuring a steady market for local farmers.
“This is not merely a subsidy,” he said. “It is a strategic intervention designed to stabilize prices, protect vulnerable households, and support our farmers. We must sustain its momentum.”
The Department of Agriculture recently expanded the program in Roxas City, Capiz, during the province’s 125th founding anniversary celebration at the Capiztahan Festival, where at least 1,000 beneficiaries accessed subsidized rice in the initial rollout.
According to Tiu Laurel, the program’s continued expansion also helps cushion the effects of rising oil prices and global supply disruptions, which continue to challenge food systems.
The subsidized rice is currently distributed through 661 Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers, kiosks, and other DA-accredited outlets nationwide, forming part of the government’s broader push to enhance food security.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
