CAPIZ – Small-scale farmers in the province can now benefit from the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” (BBM Na) program, a rice subsidy initiative of the Marcos administration.
The program is open to farmers registered under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) who own or till two hectares of land or less.
According to Andy Ostan, acting branch manager of the National Food Authority (NFA), each qualified farmer may purchase up to 10 kilos of NFA rice per month at the NFA Capiz Branch Office in Barangay Bolo, Roxas City.
He added that farmers have the option to buy their allocation monthly or in full, depending on their financial capacity. This flexibility, he explained, is especially helpful for those living in far-flung areas as it reduces transportation costs and travel time.
The program also extends beyond farmers. Through a partnership among the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), NFA, DA, and private sector groups, minimum wage earners across the province will also be able to access subsidized rice.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to assist low-income families and ensure affordable access to basic food supplies.
Meanwhile, under a separate directive, the NFA has also begun selling P20/kilo rice in Western Visayas starting August 20. The rollout covers the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental through NFA warehouses.
The government hopes the program will ease the burden of economic hardships and help stabilize household food security, while also uplifting the living conditions of small farmers and laborers in the region./PN
