DA launches PHP20/kg rice program for farmers

The Department of Agriculture launched a PHP20 per kilogram rice program called 'Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) Para sa Magsasaka' on Wednesday, August 13 in Balagtas, Bulacan.

Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the initiative aims to support farmers with less than two hectares of land and farm workers who are registered in the RSBSA, allowing them to purchase subsidized rice starting September.

Farmers can buy up to 10 kg per month or one 50-kg sack until December, while beneficiaries will be expanded to include fisherfolk and other eligible groups such as senior citizens and minimum wage earners.

Eighteen NFA warehouses launched the program on Wednesday with plans to expand to more than 100 nationwide by September.

Based on RSBSA data, around five million rice farmers and workers will qualify once this program is fully rolled out, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said.