DA, NFA launch P20 per kilo rice program in Masbate

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) have launched an expanded P20 per kilo rice program in Masbate, the first area to implement it at scale following Severe Tropical Storm Opong.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that for one month, starting Tuesday, Masbate households can purchase up to 30 kilos of rice at P20 per kilo to address immediate food needs.

This initiative, anchored on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!" program, expands rice access to all households in Masbate, where an estimated 70,000 were affected by the storm.

The NFA has deployed truckloads of rice and is increasing shipments to storm-stricken areas, allocating 2.4 million bags for calamity response from existing buffer stocks.

The DA also declared a price freeze on key agricultural products in Masbate following its state of calamity declaration, with violators facing penalties under the Price Act.