LAUR, Nueva Ecija (PIA) — Around 1,000 qualified residents of Laur, Nueva Ecija have benefited from the national government’s “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program, gaining access to rice at ₱20 per kilogram and helping ease household food expenses.
The program, implemented through the Department of Agriculture, is part of the administration’s continuing efforts to strengthen food security and make essential commodities more affordable and accessible to vulnerable sectors.
In his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the program continues to provide relief to millions of Filipinos nationwide.
“Patuloy pa rin ang programang Benteng Bigas Meron Na. Ito’y nakakapagbigay-ginhawa sa mahigit labing-dalawang milyong Pilipino sa buong bansa,” the President said.
The program’s implementation in Laur reflects the national government’s efforts to bring this assistance closer to communities.
Qualified beneficiaries include senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, minimum wage earners, registered farmers and farm workers, fisherfolk, public transport workers such as drivers and operators, and public school teachers and non-teaching personnel.
The beneficiaries underwent verification to ensure that the rice assistance reached the intended sectors.
Mayor Benjamin Padilla emphasized the local government’s commitment to expanding the program’s reach across the municipality so more residents can benefit from the national government’s assistance.
“Sisikapin ng Lokal na Pamahalaan na ang Bente Pesos na Bigas na ito ay maikot sa lahat ng barangay sa Bayan ng Laur upang mas maraming Batang Laur ang makinabang at maramdaman ang programang tunay na naghahatid ng kaginhawahan sa bawat pamilyang nangangailangan,” Padilla said.
To further bring the program closer to communities, the municipal government deployed the “Benteng Bigas Task Group” to different barangays and sitios in the municipality.
The distribution is expected to continue as long as rice supplies are allocated by the national government.
The implementation of “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” in Laur highlights the continuing partnership between the national and local governments in delivering programs that directly address the needs of Filipino families.
As underscored by the President in his 5th SONA, the program’s reach to millions of Filipinos demonstrates the government’s continuing commitment to food security and providing relief to families amid the cost of basic necessities. (CLJD/CNG, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
