NFA Western Visayas set to roll out P20-per-kilogram rice
LOW-COST RICE. National Food Authority 6 (Western Visayas) Manager Jasmin Lintag (3rd from left) joins the launch of the food and health security interventions program of the Iloilo provincial government. (PNA file photo by PGLENA)
ILOILO CITY — The National Food Authority (NFA) 6 (Western Visayas) is prepared to roll out the P20-per-kilogram rice program dubbed “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” (BBM Na!).
The move is in coordination with participating local government units (LGUs).
NFA-6 Manager Jasmin Lintag said in a phone interview on Wednesday that the agency has enough rice inventory and continues milling operations to ensure supply.
The region holds 116,000 bags of rice and 1.5 million bags of palay ready for milling.
In Iloilo, the NFA has 85,000 bags of rice, including about 25,000 bags of newly milled stock.
“We are continuously milling and we will only be issuing good quality newly milled, well-milled rice,” Lintag said.
She noted that they only need instruction from the Food Terminal, Inc. to issue the rice to participating LGUs.
She added that updates from LGUs are pending as they might still be busy with the 2025 elections.
Residents are encouraged to coordinate with their LGUs and check Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets for the P20-per-kilogram rice.
In Iloilo, the program will be integrated into the province’ food and health security initiative called Sipag at TiyaGa (Siguradong Pagkain, Tiyak na Kalusugan).
This initiative is under the MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas banner and it was launched on April 28.
The initial rollout will prioritize families with malnourished children.
During the launch, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said further discussions with partner agencies are needed to finalize the implementation.
The national program was officially launched in Cebu City on May 1./apl
