The government’s P20-per-kilo rice program, Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na, is seeing unprecedented demand in Palawan, with the National Food Authority (NFA) Palawan selling 3,000 to 4,000 bags—or 150 to 200 tons—of rice every month to Food and Terminal Inc. (FTI).
Ruby Landicho, NFA Palawan Branch Information Officer, said the turnout far exceeded expectations.
“Compared to other NFA branches, marami po talaga ang nag-aavail ng P20 rice dito sa Puerto Princesa,” ani Landicho sa Palawan News.
“Yung iba, madaling araw pa lang nakapila na,” she added.
Long lines form daily at the Puerto Princesa Warehouse in Barangay Liwanag, composed mostly of city residents and visitors from nearby municipalities like Aborlan, Landicho added.
The program, launched in October or November 2025, allows 0–3 month-old rice to be sold by NFA to FTI at P33 per kilo, with a P13 government subsidy so FTI can offer it to the public for P20 per kilo.
Originally targeted at farmers and other priority sectors, the program was later expanded to include PWDs, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, and senior citizens. Each beneficiary may purchase up to 10 kilos per day and 30 kilos per month.
Currently, the program is available at the NFA Palawan Warehouse, but local government units and people’s organizations can request deliveries in their communities. NFA Palawan is also studying whether FTI can sell at their warehouse in Narra.
Sales are temporarily on hold due to the overwhelming demand, with the current supply exhausted.
Landicho said the program is expected to resume next week when new rice shipments from Narra arrive.
