JOLO, Sulu (November 13, 2025) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship food program Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! to this southern island province, bringing the promise of affordable rice and stronger market support for local farmers.

During ceremonies in Sulu’s capital, Vice Governor Abdusakur M. Tan led the launch of P20 per kilo rice project, sourced directly from Filipino farmers. Around 3,000 beneficiaries joined the event.

In a keynote message delivered by Vener Dilig, officer-in-charge of DA Regional Field Office IX, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the rollout demonstrates the administration’s commitment to bringing government service closer to the people.

“This is a clear fulfillment of President Marcos’ campaign promise to put affordable food on every Filipino’s table,” Tiu Laurel said.

He noted that what began as a pilot program for only 13 provinces this year has now reached all 81 provinces nationwide. Under President Marcos’ directive, the P20 rice initiative will continue until the end of his term in June 2028, aiming to benefit 15 million vulnerable Filipino families.

Beyond easing household expenses, Tiu Laurel stressed that Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! is also a “win for farmers,” ensuring a stable and fair market for their harvests through the National Food Authority.

“Each grain of rice sold at P20 carries the labor and hope of our farmers—those who wake before dawn to feed the nation,” he said.

The DA said the program seeks not only to lower food costs but to give families “extra cash in their pockets”—for daily needs, better meals, or their children’s school allowances—making the President’s goal simple yet powerful: to ease the life of every Filipino. ### (By OSEC Comms & photo by Alan Jay Jacalan, AFID))