Around 5 million rice farmers and workers are expected to benefit from the government’s PHP20 per kilogram rice program “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.

The DA launched the program for local farmers at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Balagtas, Bulacan, a crucial move that would help Filipino farmers through subsidized rice and ease production costs.

“Based on Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) data, around five million rice farmers and workers will qualify once this program is fully rolled out,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a press statement.

Each farmer will be allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms per month, equivalent to a 50-kg sack, from August to December this year.

“This is one of the many steps we are taking to ease the burden of those who feed our nation and help secure our food supply,” Tiu Laurel said.

To date, the DA and Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) have launched BBM Na and set up Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) booths in at least 18 NFA warehouses in Central and Northern Luzon.

The program will also be extended to registered fisherfolk starting September, potentially benefiting 2.8 million fishers listed in the RSBSA.

Other eligible beneficiaries include senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, and minimum wage earners.

Overall, the DA aims to reach 15 million households —or about 60 million Filipinos—under the BBM Na initiative. (PNA)