Tacloban: The national government has started the distribution of PHP20 per kilo rice in this city, making the staple affordable to the vulnerable sectors. Francis Rosaroso, Department of Agriculture Regional Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division chief, stated that the "Benteng Bigas, Meron (BBM) Na!" program aims to provide quality rice at an affordable price to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and senior citizens.

According to Philippines News Agency, the prioritization of the vulnerable sector as program beneficiaries complies with the directive of the President and Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. "The prioritization of the vulnerable sector as program beneficiaries complies with the directive of the President and Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel," Rosaroso mentioned in a phone interview.

City agriculturist Romelo Anade announced plans to sell the BBM Na rice to communities before making it available at Kadiwa centers. "After the successful launching of the program in Tacloban, we will launch this in clustered villages so everyone in the vulnerable sector can avail. We will announce the schedule of rice distribution in communities," Anade conveyed in a social media post.

To ensure wider accessibility, each consumer is allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice. The BBM Na initiative represents a partnership among the National Food Authority, Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), and local government units (LGUs). The government, through the FTI and the LGU, provides a subsidy to enable the NFA to sell rice at just PHP20 per kilo.