SAN MIGUEL, Guimaras (July 8, 2025) — The Department of Agriculture (DA), in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Guimaras, officially launched the “Benteng Bigas, Meron na!” program on Tuesday, expanding the reach of affordable rice initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to vulnerable sectors in the island province.

The provincial government has identified qualified beneficiaries, each of whom may purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per month. An initial order of 5,000 sacks has been placed with FTI, which will source the rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).

The NFA, which procures rice from local farmers, currently maintains a rice inventory sufficient to cover 12 days of national consumption. ### (Photos by DA-AFID)