Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced the expansion of its PHP20-per-kilogram rice program, known as 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na,' to additional sites across the Philippines. This initiative aims to support more Filipino farmers by providing them with affordable rice options and enhancing their market accessibility.

According to Philippines News Agency, the expansion follows the program's success after its initial rollout on August 13, which benefited approximately 7,000 local palay (unhusked rice) farmers. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that four new sites have been added to the program, making it more accessible nationwide. The newly included locations are Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Roxas City in Capiz, Baloy in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro.

Previously, rice producers could access the BBM Na rice through 18 National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses situated in the Cordillera region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon. Furthermore, Tiu Laurel indicated that fishers would soon benefit from similar access to affordable rice in areas such as Lucena City in Quezon, Sual in Pangasinan, and Navotas City.

"By next week, the PHP20 rice program will also cover fisherfolk and fish port workers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture," Tiu Laurel announced. The DA has identified nearly 2.9 million fishers who are eligible for the BBM Na program, with a targeted launch date set for August 29.

Eligible individuals will be allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms of subsidized rice per month. To ensure accessibility, the NFA will collaborate with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) to deliver BBM Na rice stocks to PFDA-owned fish ports across the country.