Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to finalize the national control policy and launch the mobile application for the PHP20 per kilogram rice program under the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na'. "We plan to have the national policy by October," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated in an interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PHP20 national policy is expected to include control mechanisms for logistics, sale, distribution, payment, volume allocation, purchase limits, and program expansion. Tiu Laurel mentioned that the national policy would be officially implemented in January 2026.

In addition to the national policy, Tiu Laurel noted that the PHP20 per kg mobile smart application might also be initiated in October. "For registration na pero ang launch talaga is (but the actual launching is on) Jan. 1. Kaya kailangan (that's why) by October, ready na kami sa (we are ready for) policy, application, at (and) system," he explained.

The application will feature a registration process for the PHP20 program, where users will be vetted for approval. It adopts some features of the smart platform currently used in Cebu for local aid distribution.

Currently, the Technical Working Group, including the DA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, is collaborating to identify eligible beneficiaries of the BBM Na program.