Manila, Sept. 16 -- Bus and taxi drivers, as well as teachers, may soon avail of the government's PHP20-per-kg. rice program, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Tuesday.

The expansion follows the official rollout of the "Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na" program to tricycle and jeepney drivers who are part of operators' and drivers' associations.

"We are also actively working with other departments of the government para 'yung mga sektor na gusto nilang i-prioritize ay mabigyan (so that those whom they want to prioritize will be granted). But we will come up with the list next week," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in an ambush interview.

He said the DA is expanding coverage weekly to new groups and areas t...