By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – More than 57,000 jeepney and tricycle drivers nationwide are expected to benefit from the government’s PHP20-per-kilogram rice program, as it expanded the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” to cover the transport sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday.
The initiative is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make affordable rice accessible to more Filipinos.
In an ambush interview, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the transport sector, which he described as one of the “backbones” of the country, must be prioritized for government support.
“Napakahalaga na ‘yung transport workers natin mabigyan dahil they are organized, nasa listahan sila, marami sila (The transport workers are very important because they are organized, they are listed, and they are many),” he said on the sidelines of the BBM Na launch at the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) office in Quezon City.
“Sila ‘yung isa sa hirap sa society, kagaya ng nabanggit ko kanina, habang nagkakape pa, sila ay pumapasada na (They are among those who struggle the most in society. As I mentioned earlier, while others are still having their coffee, they are already out on the road driving).”
Mario Fuentes, 46, a tricycle driver, expressed gratitude to President Marcos, saying the initiative will help ease their daily expenses.
“‘Yung biyahe po namin, minsan ala-singko ng umaga, alas-kwatro. Mahirap din (pagkasyahin ang kinikita) kasi mayroon kang pinapaaral tapos nakiki-biyahe lang ako, nagba-boundary lang ako (Our trips usually start as early as 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. It’s also difficult to make ends meet because I have children in school, and I only drive under a boundary system),” he said in a separate interview.
Each beneficiary under the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) is entitled to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice per month.
The nationwide simultaneous expansion was also rolled out in Navotas City, Angeles City, Cebu City, and Tagum City in the Davao region.
The DA is implementing the program in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units.
To date, the BBM Na is also available for fishermen and fish workers, local rice farmers, minimum wage earners, and members of vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and the Walang Gutom Program. (PNA)
