LAOAG CITY – Residents trooped to the National Food Authority (NFA) Bantay warehouse in Ilocos Sur on Wednesday as the P20 per kilogram rice program under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) became available again to vulnerable sectors, officials announced.
Pedrito Esquero, a senior citizen from Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, welcomed the program.
"I love this program of the President. This is what we really need to help sustain me and my children," Esquero said in an interview.
Mary Ann Rafal of Pantay Daya, Ilocos Sur, said having accessible and affordable rice means a lot to her family.
"Rice sold in the market is too expensive. I am glad the BBM rice is within our reach," Rafal said as she joined housewives, drivers, and the elderly in the long line at the NFA Bantay warehouse.
Emilia Riodil of San Vicente and Mercy Pugrad of Cabaroan said they rushed to the nearest NFA warehouse when they heard about the program.
"It is a big help to us in need. Thank you, Mr. President for this program," they said.
In a public advisory, the Food Terminal Inc. under the DA is spearheading the selling of P20 per kilogram rice. The program is available at the NFA Bantay Branch warehouse in Ilocos Sur, the Laoag warehouse in Ilocos Norte, and the Bangued warehouse in Abra province.
Eligible recipients include senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, indigents or 4Ps members, farmers and fisherfolk, and public transport drivers and operators.
Engr. Jonathan Corpuz, NFA Ilocos Norte provincial manager, said farmers can avail of 50 kilograms for five months, while other recipients can avail of at least 30 kilograms per month. (PNA)