ILOILO City – The government’s P20-per-kilo rice initiative is set to make its local debut in Iloilo with an initial focus on addressing child malnutrition, even as full implementation awaits final coordination with local government units.
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Western Visayas confirmed its readiness to carry out the program, branded “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” or “BBM Na!”, with over 116,000 bags of rice and 1.5 million bags of palay in stock across the region.
In Iloilo alone, 85,000 bags of rice are on hand, including 25,000 newly milled.
“We are continuously milling and we will only be issuing good quality newly milled, well-milled rice,” said NFA Region 6 manager Jasmin Lintag.
She noted that actual distribution will begin once the Food Terminal, Inc. gives the go-signal and participating LGUs confirm their readiness.
The program will be integrated into Iloilo Province’s broader food and health initiative “Sipag at TiyaGa (Siguradong Pagkain, Tiyak na Kalusugan),” which falls under the national MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas framework. It was officially launched in the province on April 28.
The initial target beneficiaries are families with undernourished children, highlighting the program’s social welfare component beyond rice affordability.
However, updates from many LGUs are still pending.
Lintag urged residents to coordinate with their local governments and visit Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets for information.
The national rollout of the program was first launched in Cebu City on May 1. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN