The Department of Agriculture (DA), in collaboration with the local government, launched the “Benteng Bigas, Meron na!” in Guimaras, expanding the reach of the affordable rice initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to vulnerable sectors in the island province.
A key component of President Marcos’ food security agenda, the program offers rice at only P20 a kilo to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigent residents. Distribution is through the KADIWA ng Pangulo center and partner local government units (LGUs), which share the subsidy cost\ with Food Terminal Inc. (FTI).
“We thank the province of Guimaras, led by governor Ma. Lucille L. Nava, for supporting this affordable rice program. By making P20 rice accessible to financially-challenged consumers, the province is also helping rice farmers from other regions who supply this essential commodity,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
The provincial government has identified qualified beneficiaries, each of whom may purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per month. An initial order of 5,000 sacks has been placed with FTI, which will source the rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).
The NFA, which procures rice from local farmers, currently maintains a rice inventory sufficient to cover 12 days of national consumption.
