The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA RFO8), led by OIC Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapañas, spearheaded the successful rollout of the “Bente Bigas Meron Na” Program in Catarman, Northern Samar.

This effort, a key part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Pamaskong Handog” Caravan to provide affordable food, was conducted in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar (PLGU), under Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan, and the National Food Authority (NFA).

The DA RFO 8 prepared 400 bags of 50-kilogram rice for sale at the subsidized price of P20.00 per kilogram. This distribution is set to benefit about 1,200 families, easing their financial strain. The program prioritizes vulnerable groups, including farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage workers, senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, and indigenous peoples.

The program is timely as Northern Samar was hit hard by Typhoons Tino and Uwan, damaging farms and infrastructure. Offering rice at P20.00 per kilogram provides a sustained, cheaper source of basic necessities to help affected citizens recover from the challenging storm season.

The rollout demonstrates successful national and local collaboration in fulfilling the food security mandate, offering relief and support to beneficiaries.