The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded the coverage of “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”— the flagship food program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that offers rice at P20 per kilo to vulnerable sectors—to La Union and Baguio City.
Launched in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs), the program was rolled out in La Union and in Baguio City, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Luzon earthquake. Baguio, now fully recovered, continues to thrive as a tourism and investment hub.
In Baguio City, the National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) delivered 150 bags of rice, benefitting 750 individuals, including 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities. In Naguilian, La Union, another 100 bags were sold to 500 residents.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the expansion is part of the agency’s broader goal to reach more Filipinos nationwide.
“This is in line with the directive of President Marcos to make nutritious and affordable food accessible to Filipinos who need them most.”
“Our target is to serve 15 million households—about 60 million people, or half the country’s population—by the end of 2026,” Tiu Laurel said. “This is in line with the directive of President Marcos to make nutritious and affordable food accessible to Filipinos who need them most.”
The P20 rice initiative now operates in 162 locations nationwide, primarily through KADIWA ng Pangulo outlets. The rice is sourced from NFA stocks procured directly from local farmers.
The subsidized rice program not only ensures affordable food staple for consumers but also helps decongest NFA warehouses, making space to purchase more palay at prices higher than those offered by private traders. Each sack of rice moved creates space for two bags of palay.
Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who heads the DA’s Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, facilitates the rollout of the program under the KADIWA ng Pangulo umbrella, underscored the importance of expanding to Northern Luzon.
“This is more than just a rollout—it’s a commitment to our people.”
“This is more than just a rollout—it’s a commitment to our people,” Velicaria-Guevarra said. “We thank our LGU partners and farmer cooperatives. Tunay na may Benteng Bigas sa Bagong Pilipinas. At ngayon, meron na rin dito sa Ilocandia.”
More rollout sites are expected in the coming weeks, particularly in areas with high poverty incidence.
“This is not a one-time initiative,” Tiu Laurel added. “We will continue the program until the end of President Marcos’ term in 2028 to ensure food security while empowering our local farmers.”
