LUBAO, Pampanga (February 3, 2026)— The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, the flagship food security program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in Pampanga as the government moves to keep rice affordable while strengthening farm-to-market infrastructure.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led the rollout on Tuesday alongside Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, former President and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda, and other local officials during ceremonies at the Lubao Municipal Hall.
Since its launch, ‘Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!’ has established 508 P20 rice sites nationwide, served more than 2.6 million households, and expanded to all 82 provinces, including selected major cities. In Pampanga alone, the DA estimates around 350,000 qualified beneficiaries, underscoring the province’s strategic role in scaling up the program.
Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra noted that Central Luzon currently holds about 8,300 metric tons of rice stocks, making Pampanga a key distribution hub. ### (Photos by DA-AFID)
