The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured on Thursday that every province will be covered under the government’s ₱20-per-kilo rice initiative as it continues expanding the Benteng Bigas, Meron (BBM) Na program across the country.

The assurance came as the DA rolled out the program in Tawi-Tawi, marking a key step in the nationwide expansion aligned with the food security and affordability goals of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Officials said the move is strategic, particularly for provinces that rely on shipments for rice supply.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the administration remains firm in its directive to ensure that no province and no Filipino will be left behind despite geographic challenges.

Tawi-Tawi, known for its fisheries and seaweed industries, has no local rice production and depends heavily on imported supply from other regions, making access to affordable rice more difficult for residents.

Around 25,000 beneficiaries in the province are expected to benefit from the program, including low-income households, fisherfolk, seaweed farmers, and other vulnerable sectors.

Local officials welcomed the expansion, noting it will help families, particularly those most in need, secure access to affordable staple food.

The P20 rice program is part of the government’s broader food security agenda and is being implemented nationwide through coordination with agencies such as the National Food Authority and Food Terminal Inc., with distribution often carried out through KADIWA outlets and local government partners.

Eligible beneficiaries typically include vulnerable and low-income groups such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage earners, and other qualified sectors.

The DA said the program forms part of a long-term effort to make affordable, quality rice accessible to Filipino households while supporting local farmers and stabilizing national rice supply.