By: Joey A. Gabieta – Correspondent

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — At least 5,000 residents in Palo town, Leyte, benefited from the expanded rollout of the government’s “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program last Friday, as part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of rising food prices.

The distribution, spearheaded by the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with the provincial government of Leyte, allowed each beneficiary to purchase up to 10 kilos of rice at a subsidized rate of P20 per kilo significantly lower than prevailing market prices, which now range from P54 to P58 per kilo.

Originally targeted at indigent households, the program has recently broadened its coverage to include wage earners and lower-middle-income groups.

This expansion reflects the government’s response to the widening impact of inflation, which has increasingly affected not only vulnerable sectors, but also working families, the DA-Eastern Visayas said.

DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra noted that the initiative remains a flagship program of the current Marcos administration, aimed at making staple food more accessible while supporting domestic agriculture.

 Wider sector

“We have expanded its accessibility to a wider sector, allowing wage earners, such as tricycle drivers, lower-middle-income households, as well as teaching and nonteaching personnel, to benefit from the program,” she said.

Beyond consumer relief, the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program also serves as a support mechanism for local rice farmers by ensuring a stable, government-backed market for their produce. By linking producers directly to subsidized distribution channels, the initiative helps stabilize both supply and prices, the DA said.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the assistance, noting how it has helped them manage daily expenses amid persistent increases in the cost of basic goods driven in part by global economic pressures and supply chain disruptions.

Rene Adal, 67, shared that the subsidized rice significantly reduced his family’s food expenses, allowing them to stretch their budget further.

“Through this program, we are able to save more than half of our rice budget for three days. It is a commendable initiative, and we hope it will continue to benefit many more families,” he said. /cb

Published Date: March 30, 2026