The city government here is expanding access to the PHP20 per kilo rice under the government’s Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na program for vulnerable sectors.

During a simple ceremony, Mayor James Bryan Alcid urged local residents to take advantage of the BBM rice program, which will be available at the Laoag Multi-Purpose Hall until Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In an interview on Monday, City Agriculturist Sheila Marie Opelac told the Philippine News Agency that the city government had prepared at least 250 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilos, at the Laoag City Multi-Purpose Hall Center for a two-day sale of PHP20 per kilo of rice.

Opelac said the affordable rice is available to eligible beneficiaries, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigent households, minimum wage earners, farmers, fisherfolk, jeepney and tricycle drivers, as well as Department of Education teaching and non-teaching personnel.

“This two-day activity is in support of the continuing program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to help ease the burden of Filipino families amid the rising cost of living,” she said.

Beneficiaries, however, are advised to bring their own eco bags and valid identification cards to avail of the program.

Aside from affordable rice — which is mostly availed of by senior citizens and marginalized workers — in-season fruits and vegetables, as well as processed food and non-food products, were also sold during the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the City Multi-Purpose Hall.

The event was part of the 37th Agriculture and Fishery Sector Celebration.

The Department of Agriculture has teamed up with the National Food Authority and the city government of Laoag to expand residents’ access to affordable rice under the BBM program — an initiative meant to cushion the impact of rising food and transport costs while strengthening support for rice farmers. (PNA)