BUTUAN CITY, July 27 -- Thousands of residents in the Caraga Region, particularly those from vulnerable sectors, have started benefiting from the government's "Benteng Bigas Meron Na" program through the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The program was formally started on July 20 in the town of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, followed by Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, and Butuan City.

"The main beneficiaries of the program are the farmers, fisherfolk, drivers, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable sectors in communities," said Leo Amarillo, Market Specialist I of DA-13, in an interview on Monday.

He added that so far, the local government unit of San Miguel and two cooperatives in Kitcharao and Butuan City have sta...