DAVAO CITY, Oct. 24 -- Low-income earners availed themselves of PHP20-per-kilo rice as the "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na" (BBM Na) program officially rolled out here on Friday.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who led the launch at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) office, said the initial rollout prioritizes low-income earners accredited by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a similar strategy used during initial rollouts in other regions.

"For now, rice is available at the BPI office, but we plan to distribute it through municipal and barangay halls, as well as public markets," Laurel said in an interview.

He assured the public that by January next year, the lower middle class will also be able to benefit fro...