By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday expressed optimism that the PHP20 per kilogram rice program, dubbed “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na,” will further reduce the rice retail prices.
DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa made the statement after some retailers had reportedly lowered their selling price by PHP5 per kilogram in select markets in Metro Manila.
“To zero in sa concern ng iba, limitado na iyong nabibenta nila dahil dito sa programa nito. May nabalitaan tayo na nagbababa na rin sila ng presyo (they have limited sales because of this program. We also received reports that some have decreased their prices) which is also a good effect,” de Mesa said in an interview.
He said the P20/kg rice program is part of the government’s market intervention to protect consumers.
“Definitely may epekto iyan lalo na kung doon sa nananatili pa na mataas na presyo, unti-unti na bumaba (there’s an effect, especially for those still offer higher prices, it’s gradually dropping),” de Mesa said.
De Mesa said that once the National Food Authority (NFA) releases 250 metric tons of rice to the market under the BBM Na program, it will affect the rice retail prices.
As of May 17, the prevailing price of 5 percent broken or premium imported rice is set at PHP45 per kg, with prices ranging from PHP43 to PHP55 per kg, according to the DA Bantay presyo (price watch).
Well-milled imported rice, meanwhile, ranges from PHP38 to PHP48 per kg, while imported regular-milled rice costs PHP35 to PHP45 per kg.
Local premium rice is also pegged at PHP44 to PHP60 per kg; PHP38 to PHP50 per kg for local well-milled rice; and PHP33 to PHP43 per kg local regular-milled rice.
More beneficiaries
De Mesa, meanwhile, said the DA plans to include the low to low-middle income families in the PHP20 per kg rice program, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives to make affordable rice accessible to more Filipinos.
“Iyong mga mayayaman of course dapat hindi ito available sa kanila. Ang unang makinabang outside of the vulnerable sectors, iyong susunod na mahihirap (Of course, this should not be available to rich families. The first outside the vulnerable sector are the poor families next in line),” he said.
“Ito iyong mga (these are those from the) lower to lower middle income na mga sector ng population natin (sectors in our population).”
He said 15 million households, or 60 million Filipinos, are expected to benefit from the program.
To date, the ongoing first phase of BBM Na program include areas in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental; Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar; Southern Leyte and Leyte; and Bohol, Antique, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz Biliran; Guimaras, Siquijor, Aklan and Mindoro.
In July, Phase 2 will be conducted in Zamboanga del Norte, Basilan, Cotabato City, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Davao Oriental, and Sorsogon; while the final phase will cover Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Catanduanes, Agusan del Sur, Sarangani and Dinagat Islands. (PNA)
