DA includes fisherfolk in Benteng Bigas rice subsidy

The Department of Agriculture announced on Monday that fisherfolk will be included as beneficiaries of the 'Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!' program starting August 29.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the need for urgency and unity to expand the P20 per kilo rice initiative, which is already serving nearly 400,000 families.

The program was originally limited to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigents but has since been expanded to include minimum wage earners, Walang Gutom beneficiaries, farmers, farm workers, and now fisherfolk.

Since its launch in April for rice farmers and farm workers, the Benteng Bigas program has sold 70 metric tons of subsidized rice across at least 162 locations nationwide.

Starting August 29, fishers will be granted a PHP20 per kilogram purchase limit with an initial monthly cap of 10 kilograms. The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) will coordinate to distribute rice stocks in PFDA-owned fish ports across the country.

Weekly provincial rollouts will continue through the end of the year in areas with active NFA depots, as part of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s plan to expand program coverage further.