Siquijor: The National Food Authority (NFA) announced plans to transport 810,000 kg of rice to Siquijor, to be sold at PHP20 per kg under the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na' program. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to provide affordable rice to more Filipinos.

According to Philippines News Agency, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson conveyed through a Viber message that the rice would be shipped separately from Bicol and Occidental Mindoro. Four trucks have already departed from the Valenzuela warehouse to collect stocks in Bicol and deliver at least 1,200 bags to Siquijor. Additionally, a vessel from Occidental Mindoro is being loaded to transport 15,000 bags to the island.

Each bag contains 50 kg of well-milled rice from NFA warehouses. Previously, two shipments from Mindoro to Cebu included 35,000 bags each. Lacson emphasized the need for flexible delivery schedules as the 'BBM Na' program expands to other regions.

Currently, the NFA has allocated 400,000 bags of rice for the Visayas rollout, with 248,000 bags reserved in Valenzuela for distribution in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. As of Monday, the Department of Agriculture reported that vulnerable sectors could access the program via 32 Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites in Metro Manila, selected Luzon locations, and 16 areas in Cebu.

The initial phase of the 'BBM Na' program targets provinces such as Negros Oriental, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and others. The second phase will commence in July, covering regions like Zamboanga del Norte and Davao Oriental. The final phase will extend to areas including Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.