The Cebu Provincial Government will relaunch its P20-per-kilo rice program on May 20, with Medellin town set to host the initial distribution.
The initiative, branded as “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” (BBM), aims to improve access to affordable rice for vulnerable sectors and assist minimum wage earners amid continuing concerns over food prices.
Provincial officials said at least 17 local government units (LGUs) have already coordinated with the Capitol for participation in the program.
Executive Assistant V Elizar Sabinay of the Provincial Planning and Development Office and Investment Promotions said the launch will formally begin in Medellin.
“We will launch the program May 20 in Medellin. It’s 20 pesos per kilo and again, this is a premium rice, not an NFA rice,” Sabinay said.
He said the rice supply will be sourced through Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), while procurement and distribution will be handled by the provincial government in coordination with participating LGUs.
“The province would be the one to order, kami mo-distribute,” he added.
According to Sabinay, LGUs were required to submit letters of intent to join the program, with participating areas reserving a combined 11,125 bags for the first wave of distribution.
Medellin recorded the largest allocation with 1,525 bags, followed by Carcar City with 1,500 bags. Dumanjug, Cordova, and Consolacion each requested 1,000 bags.
Other participating LGUs include Alcoy, Catmon, Tudela, Barili, Pinamungajan, Compostela, Malabuyoc, Sogod, Ginatilan, and Samboan.
Sabinay said safeguards will be implemented to prevent abuse and ensure equitable distribution of subsidized rice.
“It’s limited. Meaning because it is 20 pesos, pwede gyud ma-abuse. So sectoral siya,” he said.
Under proposed guidelines, farmers and fisherfolk may purchase up to 50 kilos per month, while other qualified buyers may be limited to 10 to 20 kilos.
“So every purchase, imong maximum is 50 kilos ra gyud,” Sabinay said.
The province is also considering daily purchase limits for cooperatives and other groups due to limited supply.
Officials said the program is intended to benefit multiple sectors, including minimum wage earners.
For the initial rollout, the Capitol expects to handle around 250,000 sacks of rice, with additional batches planned depending on supply availability.
“The first batch will be 250,000 sacks… Naa pay second and third batch,” Sabinay said.
He added that procurement will be done in batches to ensure continuous supply, prioritizing available suppliers before sourcing from outside Cebu.
Sabinay also said the province initially sourced rice outside Cebu due to local supply constraints, as local distribution channels were focused on ongoing free rice assistance programs.
“The Cebu base has been busy sa pagpanghatag sa atong 10 kilos nga libre, so we are now going out,” he said. (SBA)
Photo courtesy of NFA Cebu Branch Office
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