BASCO, Batanes—Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) visit to Batanes, one of the northernmost provinces of the Philippines, to roll out critical support for the local farming and fishing communities.
The visit marked the official launch of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship food program–“P20 Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”–in the province, along with the distribution of over P13 million worth of agricultural and fisheries interventions aimed at boosting production and strengthening local livelihoods.
“Ang P20 rice project ay patunay ng malasakit ng ating Pangulo sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel. “Hindi lamang ito tungkol sa bigas. Ito ay tungkol sa dignidad, pagkakapantay-pantay, at pag-asa para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino—kahit gaano kalayo.” (The P20 Rice Project is proof of the President’s compassion for every Filipino family.This is not just about rice. It is about dignity, equality, and hope for every Filipino family—no matter how far they are.)
Under the program, senior citizens, solo parents, PWDs, 4Ps households, minimum wage earners, farmers, fisherfolk, and transport workers can purchase high-quality rice at ₱20 per kilo. Batanes joins over 350 rollout sites nationwide.
In addition to the rice initiative, the DA provided motorized fishing boats, chest freezers, chilling tanks, and various farming tools and inputs to 374 beneficiaries.
The DA also turned over the inaugural Soil Fertility Map of Batanes—a key tool for science-based planning that identifies nutrient gaps like phosphorus and potassium, helping guide appropriate fertilizer and land-use strategies to improve yield and soil health.
Secretary Tiu Laurel recognized the province’s unique agricultural challenges, such as limited irrigation and climate-related constraints. “Alam natin na ang Batanes ay may kakaibang hamon. Pero alam din natin na ang mga Ivatan ay matatag, masipag, at may pusong handang magbuwis ng lakas para sa kanilang bayan,” he said. (We know Batanes faces unique challenges. But we also know that the Ivatans are resilient, hardworking, and have hearts willing to give their all for their province.)
The Secretary reaffirmed the DA’s commitment to building a food-secure nation where no Filipino is left behind.
