Cagayan de Oro City — The Department of Agriculture Region 10 has reminded beneficiaries of the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” Program to present valid identification cards to ensure that only vulnerable sectors benefit from the subsidized rice scheme.
According to DA-10 Agri-Business Marketing Assistance Department Chief Wilson Lagdaman, stricter verification is necessary to prevent abuse, as the program’s ₱20 per kilo rice is significantly cheaper than market prices and could be exploited for profit if not properly monitored.
The ID requirement will confirm that buyers belong to priority groups such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, transportation workers, and registered farmers and fisherfolk under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
Under the program, qualified beneficiaries can purchase up to 30 kilos of rice per month at the subsidized rate. The initiative was rolled out simultaneously across all towns and cities in Misamis Oriental on March 6, aiming to ease the burden of rising food costs for vulnerable families.
