The city government is set to purchase 1,500 bags of low-cost rice weighing 50 kilograms each as part of the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!” Rice Program, aimed at making rice more affordable for vulnerable sectors.
Mayor Raisa Treñas announced on Tuesday that the city has allocated PHP500,000 for the initiative, which will primarily benefit 4Ps members, solo parents, senior citizens, indigents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The rice will be sold through Merkado Lokal and the Uswag Rolling Stores, with distribution set to begin after the city government finalizes its agreement with Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) to procure rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).
“We planned to sell in our Merkado Lokal and Uswag Rolling Stores,” Treñas said, adding that around 200 bags will be released during the Merkado Lokal every Thursday and Friday of the third week of the month.
Each beneficiary can purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice per month at a subsidized price of PHP20 per kg, thanks to the cost-sharing subsidy between the local government and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Last week, the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Treñas to sign the procurement agreement with FTI. The program launch date will be announced once the agreement is finalized.
The “BBM Na!” program is already being implemented in Guimaras and was rolled out by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on June 13, benefiting 4,500 minimum wage earners in the region.
