Iloilo city: Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Tre±as announced plans to implement the 'Benteng Bigas Meron Na' (BBM Na) program, allowing residents to purchase rice at PHP20 per kilogram. The local government is set to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to subsidize the cost.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Tre±as confirmed the city's participation in a media interview, emphasizing the role of the legal and budget office in determining the local government's financial contribution to the subsidy. Councilor Grace Parcon, who chairs the committee on agriculture at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, is also assessing the funding requirements for the program.

The 'BBM Na' initiative involves a shared subsidy between the city government and the Department of Agriculture, aiming to lower rice prices to PHP20 per kilogram. Presently, the PHP29 per kilogram rice is available at Mercado Local and Uswag Rolling Stores, with a purchase limit of five kilos for consumers.

Mayor Tre±as highlighted the benefits of the program, stating that it would provide financial relief to residents and affirmed the city's commitment to joining the national government's efforts. Previously, the province of Guimaras initiated the 'BBM Na' program, targeting 25,000 residents from low-income households, marking it as the first in Western Visayas to do so.

The Department of Labor and Employment also implemented the program last month, aiding approximately 250 minimum wage earners from a construction firm and a manpower agency in Iloilo.