Manila: Reelected Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday expressed his unwavering support for the expansion of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s 'Benteng Bigas, Meron Na (BBM Na)' program. He emphasized that this initiative is a vital step for ordinary Filipinos and reflects the government's commitment to addressing the needs of its people.
According to Philippines News Agency, Romualdez highlighted the importance of rice as a staple food in Filipino households, stating, "Rice is the staple in every home. That's why the PHP20 per kilo rice is not just a price - it brings hope to each Filipino family." He praised the President's leadership in actualizing this vision and assured that Congress would do its part to sustain it.
Romualdez, serving as the Speaker of the 19th Congress, affirmed that the House of Representatives is prepared to collaborate with the Executive branch to secure necessary funding and legislative backing for this initiative. As part of this effort, Romualdez introduced House Bill No. 1, the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act. This bill aims to restore the National Food Authority's (NFA) authority to stabilize rice prices, ensure an adequate supply, and support both farmers and consumers directly.
Additionally, he authored House Bill No. 14, which seeks to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). This expansion is intended to help farmers recover from natural calamities such as typhoons, floods, and drought, thereby safeguarding their income and ensuring consistent food production for all Filipinos.
Romualdez emphasized the need to strengthen the capabilities of farmers to achieve success in the rice affordability program, stating, "We cannot succeed in this program if we don't strengthen the capabilities of our farmers. They are the backbone of our food supply. They deserve our full support." He called for long-term investments in farm productivity, including irrigation, modern machinery, accessible loans, and post-harvest facilities.
Before the close of the 19th Congress, Romualdez tasked the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) with studying how to institutionalize the PHP20-rice initiative as a national policy, ensuring its continuity beyond any single administration.
The BBM Na program aims to benefit 15 million people by 2026 and 60 million Filipinos by mid-2028 through Kadiwa outlets and local partnerships. Romualdez assured the public that he will advocate for comprehensive support from the Department of Agriculture and the NFA in the 2026 national budget to ensure that BBM Na becomes a permanent fixture in Filipino life.
