Philippine Agriculture Ministry Expands P20 Rice Program to Sulu as Part of Nationwide Rollout

Credit: AI

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship food initiative Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! to Sulu, marking another step in the government’s effort to make affordable rice accessible to more Filipinos while supporting local farmers.

The launch event, held in the provincial capital and led by Vice Governor Abdusakur M. Tan, introduced P20-per-kilo rice to around 3,000 beneficiaries. The rice is sourced directly from Filipino farmers, in line with the administration’s goal of strengthening local agricultural production.

In a keynote message delivered on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., DA Regional Field Office IX officer-in-charge Vener Dilig emphasized that the expansion reflects the government’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to communities.

“What began as a pilot program for 13 provinces has now reached all 81 provinces nationwide,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that the initiative will continue until June 2028 under President Marcos’ directive. The program aims to reach 15 million vulnerable Filipino families over the next four years.

The DA highlighted that the project not only aims to ease household food expenses but also provides steady market support for farmers through the National Food Authority. Ensuring a fair and stable market for local harvests is seen as a key component of the program’s long-term impact.

The agency added that Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! seeks to help families manage daily costs and improve food security, giving them additional financial flexibility for basic needs. The initiative is positioned as part of the broader government objective to improve the quality of life for Filipino households.