By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday assured the launch of PHP20 per kg. of rice for the vulnerable sector, dubbed “Benteng Bigas Mayroon (BBM) Na,” at Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) centers in the National Capital Region (NCR) immediately after the May 12 midterm polls.
“Kami po ay nagre-ready na ma-implement ito (We are now preparing for the implementation) by May 13 after elections. At umasa rin po kayo na mayroon pa rin naman tayong P29 ngayon, iyong murang bigas. And then after elections, mata-transform natin iyan (You can also be assured that we still have the P29 now, the cheap rice. And then after elections, we will transform it) to P20,” DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said in a press conference in Quezon City.
The P29 refers to selling aging but good quality stocks of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) to vulnerable groups including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and solo parents.
Guevarra said at least 19 KNP sites will join the rollout of the P20/kg rice program in Metro Manila, following its official launch in Cebu province on May 1.
Starting May 13, the DA will roll the P20/kg. rice in KNP sites in Kamuning Public Market in Cubao, Quezon City; Mandaluyong Public Market I at Kalentong St. Pag-asa, and Mandaluyong Public Market II at Fabella Rd., Barangay. Addition Hills, in Madaluyong City; Bagong Silang Phase 9 Public Market in Barangay 176 in Caloocan; Pasay City Public Market at Libertad St., Corner Taft, Pasay City; Navotas Agora Complex, North Bay Boulevard, Navotas City; and in New Las Piñas Public Market, Alderan St., Zapotec, Las Piñas City.
Meanwhile, the KNP sites in Metro Manila with operations every Thursday, that will roll out the BBM Na starting May 15 include the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority in Aria Street, Barangay Talon 2, Las Piñas City; Bureau of Plant Industry, San Andres St. in Brgy. 706, Malate, Manila; Bureau of Animal Industry (Dome) in Visayas Avenue, Barangay Vasra, Quezon City; Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City; Food Terminal Incorporation (FTI) in Brgy. Western Bicutan, Taguig; Bagong Sibol Market at Kabayani Rd., Brgy. Nangka, Marikina City; Disiplina Village (Phase 1) at E.Quadra St., Ugong, Valenzuela City; Brgy. 183, Midway Park in Caloocan City; Agribusiness Development Center at the DA Compound, Elliptical Rd., Diliman, Quezon City; Philpost in Liwasang Bonifacio Magallanes Dr, Intramuros, Manila; and in Navotas City Hall grounds at M. Naval St. in Navotas City.
The KNP site in Lingayen, Pangasinan will also roll out the BBM Na program on May 15.
Guevarra said each KNP site will have a weekly supply of 50 sacks, or a total of 950 sacks per week in the 19 KNP sites.
For Cebu province, 600,000 sacks of rice will be delivered in batches for the pilot rollout.
Around 800,000 families or four million individuals are expected to benefit from the overall pilot rollout in the Visayas region, particularly in Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas, and Negros Island Region.
The DA, meanwhile, set a 30-kg monthly purchase limit for the vulnerable sector in KNP sites, and a 40-kg monthly purchase limit for each beneficiary in the Visayas region.
The department said it has been granted PHP4.5 billion worth of funds to subsidize the program from the contingency fund of the Office of the President.
The nationwide implementation of the P20/kg. rice program is eyed in January 2026. (PNA)
