ANGELES CITY — The City of Angeles has officially joined the national launch of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” (BBM NA) program, providing affordable rice at ₱20 per kilo to local public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. The rollout began at the Public Transport Regulatory Office (PTRO) area within the Angeles City Hall compound, targeting jeepney drivers for the initial phase.
The BBM NA initiative is a project led by the Department of Agriculture, designed to assist low-income sectors such as tricycle and jeepney drivers amid increasing fuel and living costs. Angeles City is among the pilot areas for the program, alongside Navotas, Cebu City, Tagum City, and Panabo City.
Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II has shown strong support for the program by providing logistical assistance and mobilizing city departments such as the PTRO and City Agriculture Office to ensure smooth operations. Councilor Ron Pineda also joined the effort, offering hands-on support during the initial distribution.
According to PTRO officials, the current distribution is focused on jeepney drivers, with additional batches scheduled for TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Associations) and JODA (Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Associations) in the coming weeks. The city is exploring a zoning-based strategy for future rollouts to ensure organized and equitable access across all sectors.
Mayor Lazatin stressed the importance of delivering this aid efficiently, noting that many drivers are struggling with basic expenses. “We want to make this as accessible as possible. Our goal is to reach every legitimate PUV driver in the city,” he said in a previous statement.
Beneficiaries welcomed the program, expressing relief at having a source of low-cost rice. Many said this would help ease the burden of daily expenses, especially with their income affected by fluctuating fuel prices and post-pandemic economic conditions.
The Angeles City Government assures the public that it will continue to work closely with national agencies to sustain the BBM NA rice program. As the city aligns itself with inclusive national efforts, it reinforces its commitment to grassroots support and poverty alleviation, one bag of rice at a time.
