The Food Terminal Incorporated, in coordination with the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), officially relaunched the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!” subsidized rice program on Nov. 27, 2025 at the NFA GID Duplex Warehouse in Barangay Balansay, Mamburao.

The P20-per-kilogram rice program is the third rollout in the province this year, following the launching in San Jose in September and Sablayan in October.

The sequential expansion will eventually cover all six municipalities with NFA-accredited warehouses: San Jose, Sablayan, Mamburao, Santa Cruz, Paluan and Abra de Ilog.

Under the program, qualified beneficiaries can purchase well-milled rice at 20 pesos per kilogram, considerably lower than the prevailing retail price of 48 to 55 pesos per kilo as of November, according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

Eligible buyers include senior citizens, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, registered rice farmers, farm workers, fisherfolks and public utility vehicle drivers and operators.

Each qualified individual may purchase up to 10 kilograms per transaction upon presentation of valid identification and proof of eligibility.

The rice is sourced from the NFA’s buffer stock and sold directly through accredited NFA warehouses to minimize middlemen costs.

Despite being a rice-producing province, Occidental Mindoro experiences seasonal shortages and relies partly on rice imports and NFA buffer stocking.

LGU officials welcomed the relaunch, saying the subsidized rice helps the province’s most vulnerable sectors cope with high food costs.

The Mamburao selling site will remain open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until allocated stocks are depleted or until further notice from the NFA and FTI.

Additional rollout schedules for the remaining municipalities are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Photo by NFA