MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding its “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program across Metro Manila, aiming to make affordable rice accessible to vulnerable sectors amid persistent food inflation.

A flagship food initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the program offers quality rice at P20 per kilo. The expansion prioritizes senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, minimum wage earners, tricycle operators and drivers, farmers, fisherfolk, and other qualified groups.

March marks the start of peak harvest season in several rice-producing provinces, a timing the DA said is deliberate to coincide with higher palay output entering the market.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the expansion aims to establish at least five P20 “Benteng Bigas” outlets in every local government unit in Metro Manila.

“Our goal is simple: bring affordable rice closer to our constituents and ensure vulnerable sectors are directly served. This expansion underscores our firm commitment to food security and to easing the financial burden on Filipino families,” Laurel said.

The program, which seeks to reach up to 15 million households, is also expected to decongest National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses to make room for fresh stocks while addressing temporary supply gaps caused by delayed rice imports.

On February 11, the DA and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) convened a Technical Working Group meeting with Metro Manila LGUs to harmonize implementation. AMAS Director Junibert De Sagun urged LGUs to accelerate compliance and documentation to avoid rollout delays.

“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 P20 rice,” De Sagun said.

MMDA Chairman Romando S. Artes pledged logistical and monitoring support to ensure the initiative reaches as many households as possible.

“This is a shared responsibility. Affordable rice must reach as many Metro Manila families as possible,” Artes said.

The DA aims to complete full-scale expansion by the end of March, leveraging inter-agency coordination and harvest-season supply increases to position the program as both a social safety net and a market-stabilizing measure.