Davao City is now the site of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) first barangay-level rollout of affordable rice, offering the staple grain at P20 per kilogram through the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” (BBM Na!) program. The initiative, launched on Sunday, aims to broaden access to affordable rice for Filipino households, a key priority for the Marcos administration. This program represents a direct effort to address food security and ease the financial burden on vulnerable communities, particularly in light of fluctuating global rice prices and domestic supply concerns.
The initial distribution took place in Barangay Matina Crossing, led by DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra. Representatives from Food Terminal Inc. And the National Food Authority (NFA) were also present, alongside local barangay captains, to oversee the launch. The program quickly expanded to include Barangay Tungkalan in the Toril District, signaling a citywide effort to bring subsidized rice directly to consumers. This expansion underscores the DA’s commitment to reaching a wider segment of the population with this crucial food assistance program.
Barangay Chairman Joel Santes of Matina Crossing welcomed the program, highlighting the significant poverty levels within Davao City. He pledged to prioritize vulnerable sectors – including indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, minimum wage earners, and solo parents – in the implementation of the program, serving the nearly 44,000 residents of the barangay. Santes’s commitment reflects the local government’s recognition of the program’s potential to alleviate hardship within the community.
Expanding Access and Supporting Farmers
Assistant Secretary Guevarra explained that the timing is ideal for expanding the affordable rice program, noting that the DA’s warehouses are currently well-stocked. According to the DA, accelerating distribution at the barangay level will not only declog warehouse facilities but also enable the agency to continue procuring palay (rice paddy) directly from local farmers. This dual benefit – supporting both consumers and producers – is a central tenet of the BBM Na! program.
“At the same time, the government is able to directly assist consumers, especially those in the vulnerable sectors, by providing affordable rice at P20 per kilo. We see a balanced approach that supports both our farmers and our people,” Guevarra said. The program aims to strike a balance between ensuring affordable food for consumers and providing a stable market for Filipino rice farmers.
Streamlined System and Local Collaboration
The success of the program hinges on strong collaboration with local government units, Guevarra emphasized. She stressed the importance of local participation in ensuring the subsidized rice reaches its intended beneficiaries. To facilitate this, the DA has implemented the P20 Benteng Bigas Masterlist Registry System, designed to streamline the validation and purchasing process, improving both targeting and efficiency. This system is intended to minimize leakage and ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.
Other barangay officials have already expressed interest and pledged their support for the program, signaling a broader willingness to participate in the initiative. This collaborative approach is seen as crucial for the program’s long-term sustainability and impact.
National Commitment to Food Security
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Reaffirmed the DA’s commitment to making food more affordable and accessible to all Filipinos. As reported by The Manila Times, Laurel stated that the program is a direct response to President Marcos’s commitment to ensuring affordable rice for financially challenged Filipino households.
The DA is aiming to expand the program to benefit as many as 60 million Filipinos this year, with plans to sustain it through the end of President Marcos’s term in June 2028. This ambitious goal reflects the government’s long-term vision for food security and its commitment to supporting both farmers and consumers.
Looking Ahead
The DA will continue to monitor the program’s implementation in Davao City and gather data to inform its expansion to other regions. The agency is also working to refine the Masterlist Registry System to further improve targeting and efficiency. The next key step will be assessing the logistical challenges and successes of the initial rollout to optimize the program for broader implementation across the country.
The BBM Na! program represents a significant step towards addressing food security challenges in the Philippines. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and experiences with this initiative in the comments below.
