₱20 rice program to roll out across Davao region despite quake

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the ₱20-per-kilo rice program under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” initiative will soon be available across all provinces in the Davao Region, even as the area reels from the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Davao Oriental.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program’s rollout remains on track and may soon benefit quake-affected residents. The distribution in Davao City is expected to begin on Monday, followed by Davao del Sur and other provinces.

By the end of October, all provinces in the Davao Region are projected to have access to the subsidized rice program aimed at easing the cost of staple food for low-income families.

Earlier, the DA also deployed ₱20-per-kilo rice to residents in quake-affected areas of Cebu, Masbate, and Eastern Samar following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Bogo City on September 30.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel directed all regional directors to assess agricultural damage caused by the Davao Oriental quake and to submit reports immediately to determine the appropriate assistance for affected farmers and fishers.