Butuan city: The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) and the National Food Authority (NFA) launched the PHP20 per kg. rice program on Monday at the NFA Warehouse in Libertad, Butuan City. The program aims to provide quality and affordable rice, prioritizing farmers with a special provision allowing them to purchase up to 50 kilos each.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA-13 stated that besides farmers, the program is also open to other vulnerable sectors in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte. These include senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disability, fisherfolk, jeepney drivers, and indigents. 'We aim to reach out to more sectors, aside from our farmers, as we formally open this program with the NFA,' the DA-13 mentioned in an interview.

Benilda Fidel, NFA-Agusan del Norte manager, assured beneficiaries of a sufficient rice supply. 'This program is a response to provide quality and affordable rice while we continue to support initiatives to help our farmers increase their production and income,' Fidel said. She added that the rice being sold is fresh, sourced from recent harvests of farmers in the area.

The DA-13 also announced that the program launched simultaneously in three other areas on Monday afternoon: Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur, Barangay Quezon in Surigao City, and Barangay Mabua in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Fidel stated that the program will open in San Jose, Dinagat Islands, on Tuesday. The outlets will be open from Monday to Friday and will run until December this year.