Government's anti-poverty bodybrings P20/kg rice closer to poor

By Keren Anne Bernadas

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- Long before sunrise, 62-year-old rice farmer Nard (not his real name) was already on his way to the city from Sto. Domingo, Albay, hoping to secure a few kilos of rice priced at only P20 per kilo. 

By 5 a.m., dozens of residents had already lined up, all eager to take advantage of the government’s affordable rice program amid rising food costs. 

In Albay, only two warehouses have been designated for the rollout of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” initiative aimed at expanding eligible vulnerable sectors—Legazpi City and Tabaco City. 

For many families like Nard’s, the hours-long wait and early travel are sacrifices worth making just to put food on the table.

To make affordable rice more accessible to vulnerable communities, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has formally launched the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” initiative under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Rice-for-All program in the Bicol Region.

Under this initiative, the NAPC, through its Basic Sectoral Councils, works closely with local government units (LGUs) to identify and facilitate the inclusion of qualified beneficiaries in the subsidized rice program. 

The Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) supplies rice stocks directly to LGUs endorsed by the NAPC, allowing for faster and more efficient delivery of affordable, quality rice to communities. 

NAPC Policy and Planning Service Director Nolan Banda said that the program is designed to eliminate bureaucratic delays and bring government services closer to ordinary Filipinos. 

“The goal is to make affordable rice easily accessible to vulnerable sectors without requiring them to travel far or go through lengthy processes,” Banda said. 

Under the improved distribution system, LGUs can now directly coordinate with FTI for rice allocation, simplifying the process by eliminating the need for complex resolutions and multiple requests. 

“This is faster, more people-oriented, and more convenient for Filipinos,” Banda added.

In Albay, pilot implementations took place in Sto. Domingo on May 20 and in Guinobatan on May 22, where over 5,000 residents were able to purchase rice under the program.

In Guinobatan alone, around 2,500 initial beneficiaries were identified, with the LGU purchasing 500 sacks of rice for distribution.

Beneficiary Saprica Pepaño of Upper Binogsacan in Guinobatan expressed her gratitude, saying the initiative has significantly helped residents struggling with high food costs. 

“This is a big help for many families because we can now buy rice at a much lower price, allowing us to save more for other necessities,” she shared.

Maricar Ordoño, a beneficiary from Sitio Cangao in Quitago, Guinobatan, also appreciated the NAPC initiative, saying that the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program has been expanded to benefit more people in the community, contributing to affordable rice and food security. 

Guinobatan Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco welcomed the program, emphasizing its importance for enhancing food security in local communities. 

“This gives more residents access to affordable and high-quality rice, especially at a time when food security is crucial,” Ongjoco said.

The LGU has committed to extending the program directly to barangays in the coming weeks to improve accessibility for residents who have difficulty traveling to town centers. 

Banda also noted that under the administration’s expanded implementation strategy, affordable rice will no longer be confined to National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses. Instead, government agencies and LGUs are expected to bring supplies directly to communities. 

LGUs will not need to release funds since FTI is consigning the rice. On Monday, NAPC reported that the Sto. Domingo and Guinobatan LGUs had already paid FTI, as their rice stocks were sold out. 

Banda said that President Marcos, who also serves as chairperson of the NAPC, continues to advocate for a wider implementation of the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na program as part of the government’s efforts to address food affordability and improve access to basic commodities for low-income Filipino families. 

The Rice-for-All initiative in Bicol will continue as more LGUs coordinate with NAPC and FTI for future distributions, Banda added. (PIA Bicol)