DA Rolls Out P20 Rice Program to Barangays: BBM Na! Initiative Expands in Davao City

Davao City Launches Nationwide Expansion of Affordable Rice Program

Davao City became the first location for a barangay-level rollout of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” (BBM Na!) program on Sunday, February 20, 2026, marking a significant step in the nationwide expansion of the initiative to provide affordable rice to Filipino families.

The launch event took place in Barangay Matina Crossing and was led by DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, alongside representatives from Food Terminal Inc., the National Food Authority, and local barangay captains. Distribution was subsequently extended to Barangay Tungkalan, Toril District, as part of a citywide expansion effort.

The program aims to make rice available at ₱20 per kilogram, a key component of the Marcos administration’s food security agenda. Assistant Secretary Guevarra explained that the timing for expansion is ideal, as the DA’s warehouses are currently well-stocked with rice. “By accelerating distribution at the barangay level, we are able to declog A warehouse facilities, enabling the agency to continue procuring palay from our rice farmers,” she said. “At the same time, the government is able to directly assist consumers, especially those in the vulnerable sectors, by providing affordable rice at P20 per kilo. It is a balanced approach that supports both our farmers and our people.”

Barangay Chairman Joel Santes of Matina Crossing welcomed the program, highlighting the high incidence of poverty within Davao City. He pledged to prioritize vulnerable sectors – including indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, minimum wage earners, and solo parents – in the implementation of the program, serving the nearly 44,000 residents of the city.

The DA is working to expand the program nationwide, aiming to reach 15 million households by the end of 2026, and ultimately benefit 60 million Filipinos by the end of President Marcos’ term in June 2028. The agency recognizes the importance of strong local government participation to ensure the program effectively reaches its intended beneficiaries.

The P20 Benteng Bigas Masterlist Registry System is being utilized to streamline the validation and purchasing process, improving the targeting and efficiency of the program. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Reiterated the DA’s commitment to food affordability and accessibility. “This represents about delivering on the president’s commitment to make rice affordable for many financially challenged Filipino [households],” he said.

The expansion of the program comes as the DA assures that every province in the Philippines will be covered under the ₱20-per-kilo rice initiative. The agency highlighted the strategic importance of the program for provinces, like Tawi-Tawi, that rely on rice shipments due to a lack of local production. Around 25,000 beneficiaries in Tawi-Tawi, including low-income households, fisherfolk, and seaweed farmers, are expected to benefit from the program.

Officials from other barangays have already expressed interest and pledged their support for the initiative, signaling a broader acceptance of the program’s potential to alleviate the financial burden of rising food costs for Filipino families.