MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded the rollout of its “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” rice program in the Province of Aklan, aiming to make rice more affordable and accessible to vulnerable Filipino families.

Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the expansion aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to cushion consumers from rising food prices while strengthening food and nutrition security nationwide. The program is expected to benefit up to 85,000 individuals in Aklan, including minimum wage earners, farmers and fisherfolk, senior citizens, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, and members of the transport sector.

“This is not just about selling rice at ₱20 per kilo—it’s about protecting Filipino families from high food costs while making sure our farmers are paid fairly,” Tiu Laurel said. “When consumers can buy affordable rice and farmers have a stable market for their palay, that’s when the system works.”

The DA chief noted that the P20 Rice Program supports the entire rice value chain. By releasing affordable rice and drawing down buffer stocks in National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses, the agency can procure more palay from local farmers at fair prices, particularly as the harvest season approaches. This helps stabilize rice prices while ensuring farmers have a reliable market.

Alongside the rice program, the DA distributed about ₱75 million worth of assistance to boost agricultural productivity and livelihoods in Aklan. The aid included four-wheel drive tractors, rice combine harvesters, farm inputs, certified seeds and fertilizers, crop insurance indemnity checks, composting facilities, hybrid solar renewable energy systems for multiplier farms, trading capital for KADIWA outlets, and 20-footer fiberglass fishing boats for fisherfolk.

Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra highlighted the importance of coordination with local governments.

“Patuloy naming pinapalakas ang P20 ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na!’ Program sa pakikipagtulungan sa ating Provincial LGUs,” Velicaria-Guevarra said. “Layunin naming ma-institutionalize ito upang tuloy-tuloy at sistematiko ang pagdadala ng abot-kayang bigas sa mamamayan, habang tinitiyak na patas ang balik-benepisyo sa ating mga magsasaka.”

First launched in Aklan last year, the program previously benefited more than 22,000 households through coordination between the DA–Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) and the Provincial Government. With the expanded rollout, more communities across the province are expected to benefit.