The government’s low-priced rice is now available in Antique, following the launch of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” program in the municipality of Bugasong on Wednesday.
Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Guevarra, in her message during the launch at the Bugasong Cooperative Conference Hall, said the initiative will be sustained until 2028 because it is a campaign promise of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“The Benteng Bigas Meron Na! is launched in the municipality of Bugasong to provide rice at a lower cost to the residents,” she said.
Guevarra expected the local government unit to transport the rice to all its 17 barangays to benefit residents, even in the remotest areas of the town.
Bugasong Mayor Victor Condez said the local government has allocated PHP200,000 for the purchase of rice for the initial 1,000 beneficiaries.
The payment for the succeeding rice releases will already be shouldered by the target beneficiaries.
“Rice is a necessity, and the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! is a big help to the vulnerable members of our municipality,” he said.
Condez said that Bugasong residents are assured of low-priced rice, following the assurance from Guevara that the program will be sustained until 2028.
Beneficiary Leonora Canja, 76 years old and a food vendor from Barangay Arangote, Bugasong, was grateful for the program.
“As a vegetable vendor, I could hardly afford to buy rice for our daily consumption. That is why I am grateful to be identified as a beneficiary,” she said in an interview.
Solo parent Jessica Bantolo, 46 years old and a resident of Barangay Igbalangao, said she needs to scrape together her income as an itinerant food vendor to provide for their daily subsistence, especially because she has four dependent children.
“I could make use of the money I could save as a beneficiary of the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! to buy our other family needs,” she said.
The program prioritizes vulnerable sectors, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, solo parents, and farmers. (PNA)
