VICTORIA, Oriental Mindoro (February 2, 2026) – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led the ₱20 ‘Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!’ Rice Project in Oriental Mindoro through KADIWA ng Pangulo—a food security initiative that ensures affordable rice for vulnerable households while supporting local producers. The program is expected to benefit around 70,000 households across the province.
Assistant Secretary Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra said Oriental Mindoro is well-positioned for the program’s expansion, particularly with the main harvest season approaching.
“This is the perfect opportunity to expand the ₱20 Rice Project in Oriental Mindoro,” Velicaria-Guevarra said. “With the main harvest season coming in March, our latest inventory shows sufficient palay stocks in NFA warehouses that can be released, allowing the NFA to continuously buy palay at a fair price from our farmers.”
The Provincial Local Government of Oriental Mindoro (PLGU) committed to continue assisting the DA, Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), and the National Food Authority (NFA) in meeting logistical requirements across the province to ensure rice reaches intended beneficiaries efficiently and on time. ### (By DA – OSEC Comms & photo by AFID)
