P20/kilo rice program rollout expands 

as PBBM leads launch in Bohol

By Elvira C. Bongosia

BIEN UNIDO, Bohol (PIA) —President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the launch of the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!’ program at the Bien Unido Gymnasium, underscoring his administration’s commitment to stabilizing rice prices, supporting local farmers, and ensuring inclusive growth.

About 2,700 residents—including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, 4Ps beneficiaries, farmers, fisherfolks, and minimum wage earners—were able to buy rice at P20 per kilo during the launch.

Upon arrival, President Marcos joined Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in distributing farm inputs and equipment to local farmers and fishers.

They later observed the selling of rice, and visited the Kadiwa booths set up at the venue.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) turned over motorized pump boats, while the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMec) also turned over P8.8 million worth of tractors.

“Lahat po ng nakikita ninyo, hindi na galing labas ito. Galing na sa Bohol ito,” said President Marcos, referring to the sacks of rice that were locally harvested in Bohol.

So far, the DA has launched the P20 rice program in 223 sites nationwide, steadily advancing the administration’s vision of affordable rice, Tiu-Laurel said.

“The ongoing rollout reflects the President’s directive to reach up to 15 million households by next year, with sustained implementation until the end of his term in 2028,” Laurel added.

Among the beneficiaries was 70-year-old Virgie Mabanag, a resident of Mandawa, Bien Unido.

She said the affordable rice was a big help to senior citizens like her who no longer have a source of income.

“Nagpasalamat ko og daku. Labi na kay kami wala me mga income kay tiguwang na intawn. Pasalamat gyud me kaayo og daku ninyo,” said Mabanag.

[I am very grateful, especially since we no longer have any income being senior citizens.]

Meanwhile, lawyer Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, assistant secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, who led the KADIWA ng Pangulo program, emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination in accelerating the program’s expansion.

Velicaria-Guevarra noted that the DA is working closely with FTI, the National Food Authority (NFA), and local government units to ensure the smooth implementation.

Also present during the event were Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) CEO Joseph Rudolf Lo, DA Regional Field Office VII Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Bohol Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte and Bien Unido Mayor John Felix Garcia. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) together with Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (left) and Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (right) during the launch of the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” at the Bien Unido Gymnasium on Sept. 5, 2025. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)