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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Pilot rollout of 'Benteng Bigas, Meron Na' in NCR held in San Juan

Pilot rollout of 'Benteng Bigas, Meron Na' in NCR held in San Juan

Published Feb 13, 2026 02:14 pm
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Don Artes lead the distribution of rice during the launching of P20 “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” Rice Project LGU Expansion Rollout in San Juan City on Friday, February 13, 2026. (Photo by Santi San Juan)
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Don Artes lead the distribution of rice during the launching of P20 “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” Rice Project LGU Expansion Rollout in San Juan City on Friday, February 13, 2026. (Photo by Santi San Juan)
The first rollout of the "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na" program, a flagship program of President Marcos, in the National Capital Region (NCR) was held in San Juan City on Friday, Feb. 13, to help provide affordable and high-quality rice to the public.
The roll out was attended by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Atty. Romando Artes, and Food Terminal Inc. President Joseph Lo at the San Juan City Hall. San Juan City serves as the first rollout site in the NCR.
“We are not just opening a P20 rice outlet. We are opening more opportunities for every Filipino family to buy quality rice at an affordable price,” Tiu Laurel said, noting the initiative as a concrete intervention rather than a short-term subsidy.
“This is not a promo. This is not a sale. This is a serious step toward food security, and a lifeline for those who need it badly,” he added.
Under the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” initiative, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program, minimum wage earners, transport workers, and farmers and fisherfolk groups were given priority as they were considered as the exposed to rising food prices.
Zamora expressed his full support for the expanded rollout of the P20 rice program, as he urged his fellow local chief executives to help facilitate its nationwide implementation, which is expected to benefit tens of millions of financially challenged Filipinos.
He explained that by channeling rice stocks through government-backed outlets, the national government aims to keep rice affordable for consumers while ensuring steady market demand for locally-produced rice.
The rollout coincided with the city's Valentine's Day celebrations which included a mass wedding of 56 couples and a love for pets event dubbed Makabagong San Juan Furry Valentines 2026 where free pet clinic services, including limited-slot vaccinations and screenings, microchipping, anti-rabies vaccination, deworming, vitamins, and spay and neuter programs for 300 pets were offered.
A special “FurEver Love” Oldest Pet in the City Contest was also held honoring long-term companionship between fur parents and their pets.

Related Tags

BENTENG BIGAS MERON NA RICE FRANCIS ZAMORA DA MMDA METRO NEWS SAN JUAN CITY PBBM
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