GUIMARAS — At least 1,000 vulnerable and low-income households in Guimaras province will benefit from the initial rollout of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” (BBM Na) program, which will offer rice at P20 per kilogram starting July 8.
The program, implemented by the provincial government of Guimaras in partnership with the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) and the National Food Authority (NFA), aims to alleviate the burden of rising food prices among the province’s poorest residents.
Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Nava confirmed yesterday, July 3, that the launching is on track, with preparations nearing completion.
“We’re starting with 1,000 beneficiaries during the launch. Each beneficiary will be allowed to purchase a maximum of 10 kilograms of rice,” Nava said in a phone interview.
In early June, the provincial government signed a memorandum of agreement with FTI for the procurement of 5,000 bags of rice from the NFA. The overall target is to reach 25,000 households across Guimaras.
As of this week, NFA Guimaras is preparing the first 1,000 bags of rice to support the initial launch.
Following the program’s kickoff, the provincial government plans to deploy the subsidized rice to all municipalities in the province, ensuring wider accessibility for qualified beneficiaries.
The province has allocated P1.625 million as its subsidy share—P6.50/kilo—to lower the retail price. The remaining subsidy will be covered by the national government, making the rice available at the targeted price of P20/kilo.
According to Nava, Governor Ma. Lucille Nava is committed to sustaining the initiative and is exploring ways to pool additional funds from other provincial offices to keep the program running long-term.
“Governor Nava wanted to pool all available funds from other offices, aside from the governor’s office, because we wanted to have it sustained,” he added.
The BBM Na rice program is part of a broader national effort to make basic commodities more affordable to Filipino families amid economic challenges. (PNA)
