Manila: Filipino fishers will soon be able to buy rice at PHP20 per kilogram under the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na program starting August 29, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday. The initiative follows the program's expansion to rice farmers on August 13.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stated during a press briefing that the program will be launched for the fishery sector by the end of August. Fishers will have a 10-kilogram purchase limit per month, while other details of the expansion scheme are still being finalized.

For distribution, the National Food Authority (NFA) will collaborate with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) to ensure rice stocks are accessible in PFDA-owned fish ports nationwide. "They have fish catch, they have viand and rice. So, that's the plan for fishers," de Mesa explained.

Fishers will be able to access the cheaper rice at PFDA-owned fish ports across the country. Currently, almost 2.9 million Filipino fishers may be eligible for the BBM Na expansion.