TALAKAG, Bukidnon — About 2,000 families in Talakag town received subsidized rice on May 1 under the national government’s “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” program, alongside a vegetable distribution activity led by the Office of the President

As part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security initiative, the rollout helps vulnerable households access affordable staples amid rising transport and commodity costs.

Maria Lilith M. Turan, Bukidnon provincial agriculture officer, said each beneficiary received 10 kilograms of rice under the targeted distribution, ensuring immediate access to low-cost staples for thousands of families in the municipality.

The rice assistance was released alongside the distribution of fresh vegetables, forming a combined food support package that aims to address both the calorie and nutrient needs of households in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Turan said the initiative provides an integrated response to food insecurity by pairing affordable rice with fresh farm produce, helping stabilize household food consumption while easing the impact of inflation and high transport costs.

The program also prioritizes vulnerable sectors, including low-income families, who continue to feel the pressure of rising prices of basic goods.

Local officials said the simultaneous rollout of rice and vegetables ensures that beneficiaries receive both staple carbohydrates and nutritious food in a single intervention, strengthening household food security.

“The ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na!’ program is part of the government’s broader effort to make rice more accessible and affordable nationwide through targeted subsidies and direct distribution mechanisms,” Turan said.

She said the initiative will continue in other areas to expand coverage and ensure that more Filipino families benefit from affordable rice supply aid. (SAYU/PIA-10)