Navotas: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that starting September 16, jeepney and tricycle drivers will be included in the PHP20 per kilogram rice program, 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na', as part of an expansion initiative.
According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the inclusion of these transport workers, following an agreement with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco during the program's launch at the Navotas Fish Port. This decision was made due to the vulnerability of jeepney and tricycle drivers to fluctuations in fuel prices.
Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco highlighted that approximately 4,000 transport workers are registered under the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) in Navotas alone. The DA plans to launch the BBM Na program for TODA drivers in five selected areas across the country on September 16, with the exact locations yet to be decided.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will provide the list of eligible TODA beneficiaries. These beneficiaries can purchase the affordable rice at Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) markets or accredited municipal sites, with a purchase limit set at 10 kilograms per month.
The program is also expected to expand to include other local farmers outside the rice sector, with plans to make the rice available through National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses nationwide. Currently, the BBM Na initiative benefits fishermen, fish workers, local rice farmers, minimum wage earners, and other vulnerable sectors.
During the program's launch in Navotas, local fisherfolk and vendors expressed their approval of the initiative. Fisherman Edwin Ungui and vendor Neria Salvador both welcomed the program, noting its potential to ease household expenses and fulfill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s campaign promise of affordable rice.
In Navotas, approximately 5,000 fishers and fish workers are registered and can purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice per month. The DA is developing a QR code system to streamline purchase monitoring, aiming to cover 15 million households by 2026. Presently, the PHP20 per kilogram rice is available at 212 KNP sites nationwide, benefiting around 500,000 individuals.
