The Department of Agriculture (DA) today expanded the implementation of the P20 ‘Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!’ Rice Project, a flagship food security initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
In line with the celebration of the Panagbenga Festival, the DA conducted a special rollout of the P20 rice in front of Baguio City Hall, benefiting 500 household beneficiaries from various priority sectors. These included senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, indigent households, minimum wage earners, members of transport groups (TODAs), teachers, and farmers.
The activity forms part of the national government’s continuing efforts to ensure affordable and accessible rice for vulnerable sectors, while reinforcing food security interventions across the country.
Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra, Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing and Consumer Affairs, emphasized the administration’s commitment to making quality rice accessible to Filipino families.
“Ang P20 ‘Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!’ initiative po ay malinaw na direktiba ni President Marcos Jr. na siguraduhing may abot-kayang bigas ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga kabilang sa vulnerable sectors. Hindi lang po ito panandaliang programa, kundi bahagi ng mas malawak at pangmatagalang plano para palakasin ang food security ng bansa, protektahan ang consumers, at suportahan ang ating mga magsasaka. Ito po ay magtutuloy-tuloy hanggang matapos ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, Jr. Sa pamamagitan ng matibay na partnership ng national government at ng ating mga local government units, mas napapalapit natin ang serbisyo sa tao at mas natitiyak natin na walang pamilyang Pilipino ang maiiwan,” Asec. Guevarra said.
The City Government of Baguio likewise expressed its strong support for the initiative. Baguio City Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan underscored the local government’s full cooperation with the national government in implementing programs that directly benefit constituents.
“The City Government of Baguio fully supports this initiative of the national government. Programs such as the P20 Rice Project provide immediate relief to our residents, especially those belonging to vulnerable sectors. We remain committed to working closely with the DA to ensure the efficient and orderly distribution of affordable rice to our people,” Vice Mayor Olowan stated.
In Baguio City, the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Loakan continues to operate as a regular P20 distribution outlet, managed by the Food Terminal Incorporated. The outlet serves qualified beneficiaries from Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Further strengthening the accessibility of the P20 ‘Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!’ Rice Project, the DA will also tap the KADIWA ng Pangulo Store, managed by the Farmers Cooperative Association (FCA), located at Slaughterhouse Compound, Sto. Niño, Baguio City, to sell P20 rice on a regular schedule and serve more constituents in the city. This additional outlet is expected to help decongest distribution points and expand the program’s reach to more eligible beneficiaries.
Under the program guidelines, beneficiaries from vulnerable sectors may purchase up to a maximum of 30 kilograms of rice per month, while other identified eligible sectors may avail of up to 10 kilograms per month.
As of 27 February 2026, the NFA Loakan P20 outlet has already served more than eighteen thousand (18,000) qualified households under the P20 Rice Project, demonstrating the steady demand and positive reception of the program in the city.
Further expanding its reach, the DA–Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) Regional Field Office is set to conduct another rollout on 3 March 2026, with an additional 500 households expected to benefit from the program.
