THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding the rollout of its “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program across the National Capital Region (NCR) so more people may have access to affordable rice, particularly for vulnerable sectors.
A flagship food initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the program offers rice at Php 20 per kilo to help cushion Filipino families from persistent food inflation.
Under the expanded Metro Manila rollout, priority beneficiaries include senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, minimum wage earners, members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs), farmers, fisherfolk, and other qualified groups.
The expansion coincides with the start of peak harvest season in several rice-producing provinces this March, when higher palay output is expected to enter the market.
The DA said the Php 20 rice program, which aims to reach up to 15 million households from lower middle-income and financially challenged sectors, serves a dual purpose. It is expected to help decongest National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses to make room for fresh stocks, while addressing temporary supply gaps caused by delayed rice imports.
Yesterday, the DA, together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), convened a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting with Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) to fast-track and harmonize implementation.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the department is targeting the establishment of at least five Php 20 “Benteng Bigas” outlets in every LGU in Metro Manila.
“Our goal is simple: bring affordable rice closer to our constituents and ensure vulnerable sectors are directly served,” Laurel said, adding that the expansion underscores the government’s commitment to food security and easing the financial burden on families.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, along with the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), which oversees the project, is aiming for full-scale expansion by end-March 2026 to align with peak harvest flows and maximize supply availability.
AMAS Director Junibert De Sagun urged LGUs to expedite compliance and documentation to avoid delays in the rollout.
“We are preparing for full-scale expansion by the end of March. Close coordination with LGUs and DA-FTI is critical to ensure efficient distribution and sustained supply of Php 20 rice,” De Sagun said.
The MMDA has pledged logistical and monitoring support. MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said the agency would track LGU compliance to ensure the program reaches more families across the capital.
“With tighter inter-agency coordination and increased harvest-season supply, the DA is positioning the Php 20 rice initiative as both a social safety net and a market-stabilizing measure in Metro Manila,” Artes said.