Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted the fulfillment of one of his key promises for Filipinos - the PHP20 per kilogram of rice under the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na' during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the President emphasized that the program has proven feasible without negatively impacting farmers' income. Dubbed 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na,' the initiative has been rolled out in various regions, including Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with specific launches in San Juan, Pangasinan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu, Bacolod, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Davao Del Sur.

The rice under this program is sourced from aging yet good-quality stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA), purchased from local farmers. The NFA's buying price has been competitive, set at PHP17 per kg for fresh and wet palay and up to PHP24 per kg for clean and dry palay, under the Price Range Scheme (PRICERS). Since April 2024, at least 94,483 farmers have benefited from this scheme.

Marcos assured the public that the rice program would expand further, supported by significant government funding. He announced plans to allocate PHP113 billion to enhance the Department of Agriculture's programs, aiming for a nationwide launch through hundreds of Kadiwa Stores and Centers in collaboration with local governments.

The administration intends to extend the PHP20 per kilogram rice program to 1,500 Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) sites across the country before the end of his term. Currently, the 'BBM Na' initiative is available in 757 KNP centers, pop-up stores, and accredited sites. Since its launch in May, the Department of Agriculture reported reaching nearly a million Filipinos, including 217,000 household beneficiaries such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and various program beneficiaries.