Iloilo city: The city government has announced plans to purchase 1,500 bags of low-cost rice, each weighing 50 kg, as part of the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!” Rice Program. Mayor Raisa Tre±as shared in an interview that the government has allocated PHP500,000 for this initiative.

According to Philippines News Agency, the program has identified specific beneficiaries, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, solo parents, senior citizens, indigents, and persons with disabilities. The rice will be sold through the city’s Merkado Lokal and Uswag Rolling Stores, with plans to release approximately 200 bags during the third week of each month. Each beneficiary can purchase up to 10 kg of rice per month.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod recently passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Tre±as to enter into an agreement with Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) for procuring rice from the National Food Authority. The city government awaits the agreement’s finalization with FTI, based in Manila, before setting a launch date for the program.

This program is already active in Guimaras province, and the Department of Labor and Employment launched it for minimum wage earners in the region on June 13, benefiting 4,500 workers. The initiative involves a subsidy partnership between the local government and the Department of Agriculture to lower the rice cost to PHP20 per kg.