By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Friday that jeepney and tricycle drivers will be included in the PHP20 per kg. rice program “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” starting Sept. 16.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the expansion was agreed upon with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco during the program’s launch for fisherfolk at the Navotas Fish Port.
“I have earlier agreed with Sec. Vince, and the mayor was also here, to include in the BBM Na program those who are in TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association), transport workers,” he said in an ambush interview.
They were included in the expansion since “jeepney and tricycle drivers are very susceptible to fuel price fluctuations.”
In Navotas alone, Tiangco said there are about 4,000 transport workers listed under TODA.
Tiu Laurel said they will launch the BBM Na for TODA drivers in five selected areas across the country on Sept. 16, with locations yet to be finalized.
The agriculture chief added that the list of eligible beneficiaries under TODA will come from the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
He said they may also buy the cheaper rice at Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) markets or in accredited sites in municipal offices.
A 10-kg. monthly purchase limit will also apply to TODA beneficiaries.
Besides jeepney and tricycle drivers, Tiu Laurel said the PHP20 per kg. rice program is also set to expand to other local farmers outside the rice sector and will soon be made more accessible through National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses nationwide.
At present, the BBM Na is 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.
‘BBM Na’ for fishers
During the Navotas launch, fisherfolk and vendors welcomed the initiative, saying it would ease their household expenses.
“It’s a huge help because it’s cheap. I can use the savings for other needs, said Edwin Ungui, 53, a fisherman for three decades.
Vendor Neria Salvador, 62, also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for fulfilling his campaign promise of affordable rice.
“Thank you very much, President, for giving this to us. I hope there will be rice like this every day so we won’t struggle with high prices,” she said in a separate interview.
Tiangco said about 5,000 fishers and fish workers are registered in Navotas.
Like local rice farmers, fisherfolk may purchase up to 10 kg. per month.
The DA said it is finalizing a QR code system to streamline monitoring of purchases. By 2026, the government aims to cover 15 million households under the program.
Currently, PHP20 per kg. is available at 212 KNP sites nationwide, benefiting around 500,000 individuals. (PNA)
