PBBM rice remains at P20 per kilo in Caraga amid rising fuel prices
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — National Food Authority (NFA) Caraga Regional Manager Leo V. Damole assured the beneficiaries of the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na’ (PBBM) rice in the region remains at P20 per kilo, despite ongoing increases in fuel prices.
Damole made the assurance in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga on March 11 in Butuan City.
The PBBM rice program primarily benefits vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage earners, solo parents, and other marginalized groups.
“To all the beneficiaries of PBBM rice, rest assured that this program continues to remain at P20 per kilo unless the central office otherwise issues an order on price adjustment to PBBM rice,” Manager Damole said. “We have four branches strategically located in the region that are distributing PBBM rice—San Jose, Dinagat Islands, Kilometer 10 Surigao City, Tandag City, Libertad, Butuan City, and Bayugan City warehouses. You can always go there to inquire about the distribution.”
He also shared that the region has sufficient stock and supply. “To be able to supply rice to all the people of Caraga, we need 21,280 bags of rice per day. We have a total of 280,771 bags of rice. We have a sufficient supply of rice for the entire region for 13 days.”
Damole also shared ongoing efforts in consumer protection amid tensions in the Middle East, causing soaring prices of petroleum products. “The increase in the price of fuel has a direct impact on necessities and prime commodities, among others, and this will not be beneficial to the consumers and the Filipino people.”
“Prices of staple foods like rice may eventually be affected. This could affect the daily consumption and budget of many Filipino families who rely heavily on rice as their primary food source,” he added. “As an active member of Butuan City’s Local Price Coordinating Council, NFA passionately supports the city’s ‘Oplan Bantay Presyo’ that created a team composed of various agencies and organizations that will conduct monitoring of the prices of fuel, rice, and others in the market, safeguarding consumers from overpricing.”
The National Food Authority is the government agency responsible for ensuring the country has sufficient rice supply and buffer stock during emergencies, calamities, and other challenging times. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
