LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The Pangasinan Provincial Government led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III and the Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 13, for the implementation of the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” project.
Aligning with the national government’s food security program, this initiative aims to provide affordable rice to vulnerable sectors in the province,
The project will be synchronized with the Kadiwa sa Kapitolyo, a market outlet program that brings affordable agricultural products directly to consumers and is usually held at least twice a month at the Capitol Complex. The project offers rice at PhP20 per kilo, targeting low-income households, farmers, and other vulnerable groups.
It can be recalled that the DA has already rolled out the program in various parts of the country, benefiting nearly one million Filipinos since its inception in May 2025. The program aims to reach 15 million households by 2026, with sustained implementation to the grassroots until the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.
The National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Inc. likewise play pivotal role in the implementation of the project.
(Ruby F. Rayat, photos by Ervin Alcantara | PIMRO)
