TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Approximately 1,000 residents from vulnerable sectors in Tacloban City were able to purchase rice at the highly subsidized price of ₱20 per kilogram on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the initiative is part of the national government’s “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” (BBM Na!) program, aimed at providing relief from the soaring costs of basic commodities.
The ceremonial rollout, led by the city government under Mayor Alfred Romualdez, took place just a day after the program was permitted to resume following a temporary halt for the 2026 midterm elections.
- Subsidized Pricing: At ₱20 per kilo, the rice is significantly more affordable than the current market prices in Tacloban, which range from ₱50 to ₱58 per kilo.
- Purchase Limit: Each qualified beneficiary is allowed to buy a maximum of 10 kilograms.
- Target Beneficiaries: The program specifically prioritizes the most vulnerable sectors, including:
- Senior Citizens and Solo Parents
- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
- Indigents and 4Ps Beneficiaries
- Minimum Wage Earners
To ensure the program reaches deeper into the community, the Tacloban City government has invested in substantial stock:
- Bulk Purchase: The city agriculturist, Ronelo Anade, confirmed that the local government purchased 3,000 bags of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA), valued at approximately ₱3 million.
- Barangay Distribution: While the initial rollout saw 300 bags sold, the remaining 2,700 bags are scheduled for distribution across various barangays in the coming days. This move is designed to make the subsidized staple more accessible to residents within their own neighborhoods.
The Tacloban rollout is part of a broader 2026 mandate by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to expand the ₱20/kilo rice program nationwide.
- 2026 Goal: The national government has allocated ₱23 billion this year to subsidize the program, with an ultimate target of reaching 15 million households (roughly 60 million Filipinos) by the end of 2026.
- Cost Sharing: The program operates on a subsidy model where the ₱13 difference (between the NFA procurement price of ₱33 and the ₱20 sale price) is typically shared between the national government and local government units.
For many residents like 65-year-old Renato Roxas, the program provides a critical safety net during the current “middle-class squeeze” and energy-driven inflation.
“I am glad that we have this kind of program during these difficult times. I hope this will become permanent so poor people like me can continue buying rice at a much lower price.” — Renato Roxas, Beneficiary