00:00In the meantime, government's cheap rice program is a gift that truly keeps on growing and giving,
00:06especially to the groups that comprise the nation's vulnerable demographic.
00:11Even more, hundreds of thousands of the elderly, disabled, single mothers, tricycle and pedicap drivers, among others,
00:19will receive the huge benefits of dirt-cheap staple grain,
00:22with the BBM program extending of late to the entire national capital region as we hear more details from our
00:30Gab Humilde.
00:3379-year-old Dolly is one of the customers who never fails to buy 20 pesos per kilo of rice
00:40when she can.
00:40Her savings is substantial in buying cheap rice.
00:43It's a big help to us, like us. Malaking tulong ito, not only to me, but to everybody.
00:51For Jun, who has senior citizens and persons with disability in the household, 20 pesos per kilo of rice is
00:57a great help in their budgeting.
00:59Malaking budget na may 50 pesos ka, 20 pesos na bigas, pagkatas yung sobra nun, makakabili ng mga gulay-gulay,
01:10sardinos na pwede, pechay.
01:13Dolly and Jun from Quezon City won't be the only ones reaping the benefits of 20 pesos per kilo of
01:19rice
01:19because the Department of Agriculture is expanding the Benteng Bigas Merona program throughout the national capital region
01:26and with those in the vulnerable sector in mind to avail of the huge discount of the sale.
01:31According to the DA, approximately 15 million lower income and financially challenged households are expected to benefit from the expanded
01:39program.
01:39This will also decongest the warehouses of the National Food Authority or NFA to make way for the arrival of
01:46new stock
01:46while addressing the temporary supply gap caused by delayed rice imports.
01:51The peak harvest season is also expected to start by March in some provinces where higher rice output will enter
01:58the market.
01:58The DA has conducted a technical working group with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA
02:05and local government units in Metro Manila to expedite and harmonize the implementation of the program.
02:11Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or for Peace,
02:18minimum wage earners, bicycle and pedicap drivers, farmers, fishermen and other qualified groups are still prioritized in the expanded rollout.
02:29According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Chu Laurel Jr., his office is targeting to build at least five Benteng Bigas outlets
02:37in each LGU in Metro Manila
02:39to bring cheap rice even closer to the vulnerable sectors.
02:42The department is also targeting the full-scale expansion of the program by end of March to keep up with
02:48the peak harvest flow and maximize the availability of supply.
02:52The MMDA will also provide logistical and monitoring support to ensure LGU compliance and sustain expansion.
02:59Gap Villegas from the National TV Network for New and Better Filipinos.
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