More than 500,000 farmers and fisherfolk in the Bicol region availed of the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” (BBM Na) program.

Lovella Guarin, spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture in Bicol, said farmers registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture in Camarines Sur and Sorsogon can now purchase rice at PHP20 per kg.

“Each farmers can buy up to 10 kg. per month, or one sack of rice, until December,” she said in an interview.

The farmers can visit the National Food Authority (NFA) and present their RSBSA registration to avail of the program.

“The NFA is the primary source for this initiative. We are also in the process of accrediting three farmers’ cooperatives and organizations to support the program,” she said.

Guarin added that the agency is committed to assisting farmers in securing higher inputs.

“The DA is implementing a ban on rice imports for two months and is also providing farm inputs and hybrid rice. This wet cropping season, we have planted on 66,700 hectares and are expecting a good harvest,” she said.

The DA is also offering fertilizers and cash aid of PHP7,000 to farmers cultivating less than 2 hectares, as well as a fuel subsidy for corn farmers.

As of Sept. 5, the prices of rice are as follows: special rice at PHP60; premium rice at PHP50; well-milled rice at PHP40; and regular-milled rice at PHP33, which is lower than the previous PHP 40 per kg. (PNA)