As part of the ‘Pamaskong Handog’ of His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, his flagship program dubbed as Benteng Bigas Meron Na! was finally launched in the Samar Province on December 4, 2025 in the Municipality of Jiabong.

The DA-RFO VIII, in collaboration with PLGU Samar, LGU Jiabong, NFA and other concerned agencies ensured the selling of 400 bags of rice (at 50kg/bag) wherein about 2,000 household-beneficiaries availed of up to 10kg of rice at Php20.00 per kilo. This is in fulfillment of the current administration’s promise of rice for all – one that is affordable, available and of good quality.

In his message DA-RFO VIII’s OIC-Regional Executive Director, Rodel G. Macapañas emphasized that in terms of rice production, the DA-RFO VIII provides farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, mechanization and irrigation support. He also mentioned other interventions that the DA provides under its Banner Programs and special projects.

“There is a need to make big waves in Samar in terms of vibrant agricultural development,” OIC-RED Macapañas quipped.

For her part, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan thanked the Cantongtong United Youth Association (CUTA) as the partner association in the implementation of the program. She further requested the DA to implement the project on a province-wide level, so that every family can avail of 20php rice every week, hopefully starting January.

This program prioritizes vulnerable groups, including farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage workers, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, and indigenous peoples. This roll-out is apt as the Samar Province also felt the brunt of typhoons Tino and Uwan that recently hit the country.