Filipino fishers will soon be able to buy rice at ₱20 per kilogram under the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na program beginning August 29, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday.
The expansion comes after the program was first rolled out for rice farmers last August 13.
“By the end of August, we will launch the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program for the fishery sector,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a press briefing.
Under the program, fishers will be allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice per month, while other portions of the expansion are still being finalized.
For the distribution scheme, the National Food Authority (NFA) will coordinate with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) to ensure rice stocks are accessible in PFDA-owned fish ports nationwide.
“May huli silang isda, may ulam sila at mayroon na rin silang bigas. So iyon ang plano for fishers,” De Mesa said.
Almost 2.9 million Filipino fishers nationwide may be eligible for the BBM Na expansion.