Cebu: The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) have dispatched an additional 35,000 bags of rice to Cebu as part of the PHP20 per kg rice initiative known as ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na’ in Central Visayas. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and NFA Administrator Larry Lacson led the send-off ceremony in San Jose, Oriental Mindoro.

According to Philippines News Agency, the rice was sourced from Mindoro, a significant rice-producing region. Many farmers there have opted to sell to the NFA due to favorable procurement rates of up to PHP24 per kg for dry palay, as opposed to the PHP13.50 to PHP18 per kg offered by private traders, with production costs estimated between PHP12 to PHP14 per kg.

This delivery is part of a larger 100,000-bag order from the Cebu provincial government under the pilot rollout of the subsidized rice initiative. Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized the program’s dual purpose of reducing prices and supporting the farmers who make the initiative possible. He expressed gratitude to the local farmers in Mindoro, acknowledging their critical role in the program’s success.

To accommodate the growing procurement needs, NFA Administrator Lacson announced the expansion of storage capacity nationwide. Nine warehouses have been repaired, adding space for 455,000 sacks, and further repairs in Occidental Mindoro are expected to increase total storage capacity to 1.079 million bags.

Lacson highlighted the trust that farmers have in the NFA, noting that many waited for the agency to resume buying due to the fair prices offered. He added that clearing space in NFA warehouses will facilitate increased palay procurement.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that Oriental and Occidental Mindoro produced a combined 653,117 metric tons of palay in 2024, contributing 3.42 percent to national output. The NFA Occidental Mindoro branch has already procured 405,219 bags, nearly double the target, and continues to mill rice to support the PHP20 per kg rice program.

Lacson reassured that the NFA will persist in milling rice in Mindoro to sustain the program and make room for additional palay supply from local farmers.