Tacloban: The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office has officially rolled out the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na' program in two towns in Leyte province. This initiative aims to ensure that the public has access to affordable rice.

According to Philippines News Agency, around 1,500 families in Palo town, belonging to vulnerable sectors, benefitted from the program's rollout. The beneficiaries include those from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, Indigenous People, farmers, and fisherfolk. In La Paz town, an additional 1,000 beneficiaries were able to access affordable staple rice.

Each beneficiary from Palo and La Paz towns was allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice at a subsidized price of PHP200 or PHP20 per kilogram. "This rollout aims to provide Filipino families, especially those in the marginalized sector, access to affordable and locally produced rice, which can help in the department's battle cry for food security," stated Jenny Lyn Almeria, DA regional technical director for operations.

The program is set to expand to other provinces and municipalities in the region in the coming weeks. Previously, government rice was sold at PHP33 per kilogram, but President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to sell it for PHP20 under the BBM Na program, which was launched on May 1, 2025. The DA, in collaboration with Food Terminal Incorporated and local government units, provides a subsidy that enables the National Food Authority to sell rice at this reduced price.