Aklan: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced its plans to expand the "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!" (BBM Na) program in Aklan province, aiming to benefit over 85,000 individuals.
According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the expansion aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to maintain affordable rice prices for vulnerable sectors while ensuring fair farmgate prices for local farmers. Laurel emphasized that the program is not only about selling rice at PHP20 per kilo but also about shielding Filipino families from high food costs and ensuring fair compensation for farmers.
The program targets various beneficiaries, including minimum wage earners, farmers, fisherfolk, senior citizens, solo parents, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, persons with disabilities, and transport sector workers. The initiative is designed to support the entire rice value chain by allowing the National Food Authority (NFA) to release more affordable rice from its buffer stocks while procuring more palay from local farmers at fair prices.
In addition to the rice program expansion, the DA introduced an agricultural assistance package valued at approximately PHP75 million to enhance productivity and livelihoods in Aklan. This package includes various resources such as four-wheel drive tractors, rice combine harvesters, farm inputs, certified seeds and fertilizers, crop insurance indemnity checks, and more.
DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra highlighted the importance of collaborating with local governments to sustain the initiative. She noted the DA's commitment to strengthening the PHP20 per kg. rice program in partnership with provincial LGUs to ensure continuous and systematic delivery of affordable rice to the people while providing fair returns to farmers.
The BBM Na program, initially launched in Aklan in 2025, reached over 22,000 households through coordination between the DA-Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) and the provincial government. With its expanded implementation, the DA aims to reach more communities throughout the province.
Source: Philippines News Agency
