MANILA (October 11) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Friday that the PHP20 per kilogram rice program under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” initiative will proceed as planned and may soon be available across all provinces in the Davao Region, even after the recent strong earthquake.
This follows the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Manay, Davao Oriental, with Intensity V recorded in Davao City.
In a Viber message, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program’s rollout will continue and may benefit quake-affected residents.
“Tuluy-tuloy naman. In fact, sa Davao City ay Monday na yata. And after Davao del Sur,” he told the Philippine News Agency, noting that all provinces in Davao Region are expected to have access to the program by the end of October.
The DA earlier deployed PHP20 per kilo rice to quake-hit areas in Cebu, Masbate, and Eastern Samar following the 6.9-magnitude quake in Bogo City on Sept. 30 to aid affected residents.
Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel ordered an immediate assessment of agricultural damage to determine necessary support for farmers and fisherfolk.
“I have instructed all regional directors to go to areas affected and give me a report as soon as possible on damages,” he said.
