ORMOC CITY – The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) “Bente Bigas, Meron Na!” was officially launched at the Pope Francis Village in Tacloban City on August 20, 2025.
The program’s objective is to provide vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, with good-quality rice at an affordable price.
The Bente Bigas, Meron Na!, or the PHP20.00 Program, is a collaborative initiative between the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), the National Food Authority (NFA), and the Local Government Units (LGUs) that choose to participate. Under this initiative, the government, through the FTI and the LGU, subsidizes rice sold by the NFA so that it can sell to customers for PHP20.00 per kilogram.
Under the program, indigent beneficiaries may buy up to 10 kilos of rice per week or a total of 40 kilos per month.
According to DA RFO 8 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Chief Francis Rosaroso, the president’s and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.’s directives are in line with the program’s prioritizing of the most needy group as beneficiaries. He also added that even if the rice is inexpensive, it is of good quality. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail AUGUST 18-24, 2025 issue)
