President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed relevant government agencies to broaden the reach of the administration’s Benteng Bigas, Meron Na program, which is now accessible to 57,000 public transport workers nationwide, and will soon be available to public school teachers and non-teaching staff.

“Pwede nang bumili ng mura at dekalidad na bigas ang mga tsuper sa ilalim ng Benteng Bigas Meron Na program,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

“Sunod namang magiging parte ng programa ang public school teachers at non-teaching personnel. Ito’y ayon sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na gawing mas accessible ang abot-kayang bigas para sa mga Pilipino,” Castro added.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) rolled out the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na program —the flagship affordable rice initiative of President Marcos —to initially reach more than 57,000 bus, jeepney, and tricycle drivers and operators across five major cities.

The public transport sector now joins the ranks of those benefiting from the PhP20 per kilo rice, part of the sweeping effort of President Marcos to bring down the cost of living for Filipinos, especially the vulnerable sectors.

Under the program, eligible drivers and operators will be allowed to purchase up to 10 kilos of the PhP20 per kilo rice per month.

The DA said the initial rollouts took place in Quezon City, Navotas City, Angeles City, Pampanga, Cebu City, and Tagum City.

“Ayon sa Department of Agriculture, patuloy ang pagpapalawak sa programa upang maabot nito ang target na 15 million households o 60 million na mga Pilipino,” Castro said.

Originally aimed at senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, 4Ps beneficiaries, and indigent households, the Benteng Bigas Meron program has rapidly expanded to cover minimum wage earners, farmers, fisherfolk, and beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Walang Gutom Program. ǀ PND