DA expands P20 rice to Camiguin, widens access to vulnerable sectors

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin — The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), expanded the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM Na) initiative to Camiguin on July 31 at the Provincial Capitol, here, offering high-quality rice at P20 per kilogram to vulnerable sectors and other qualified beneficiaries in the province.

Implemented in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camiguin, the National Food Authority (NFA), and the Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI), the rollout initially targeted at least 500 beneficiaries.

Previously covering only senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, the program has since been expanded to include smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage earners, Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) members, young entrepreneurs, and other priority beneficiaries identified by local government units (LGUs).

“This is a fulfillment of a promise… na ‘yung P20 bigas ay kaya pala natin na ibigay, lalong-lalo na po doon sa mga mas nangangailangan po sa atin.” said DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra.

The DA official also emphasized that the initiative is more than a consumer subsidy, as it also strengthens support for Filipino rice farmers.

“Hindi lang ito para sa inyo, kasi alalahanin po natin, ang bigas na ito ay galing sa NFA. Kanino bumibili ang NFA ng bigas? Sa farmers! Sa ating mga lokal na nagtatanim po talaga ng bigas natin. So, ‘yung suporta po natin dito sa programa na ‘to ay suporta rin natin sa ating mga farmers.”

Reinforcing this farmer-consumer linkage, the NFA ensures a steady supply of subsidized rice by directly procuring palay from local farmers at competitive prices.

Representing NFA Regional Manager Miguel S. Tecson, Misamis Oriental Branch Manager Ma. Chere M. Buyante highlighted the program’s impact.

“You could just imagine, ang inyong P600.00 makapalit na mo og 30 kilos na tag-P20,” Buyante said. “Kita sa NFA, malipayon ta na na-expand ang atong P20. Ipaabot namo ang among suporta ug pag-cooperate sa tanan programa dili lang sa probinsya sa Camiguin kundi sa tibuok nasud.”

To support the program’s implementation, FTI oversees the transport and logistics of government rice deliveries to the island province, while the Camiguin Provincial Agricultural Office and the municipal LGUs coordinate with the DA-RFO 10 AMAD in validating beneficiaries and facilitating rice distribution.

The Camiguin rollout supports the DA’s Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas vision under Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel Jr., advancing efforts to make affordable, quality rice more accessible while strengthening the country’s rice value chain and improving the livelihoods of Filipino farmers.# (JLPC)