The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday committed to maintaining and strengthening its consumer support programs, especially for vulnerable sectors, amid a reported increase in involuntary hunger across the country.

The agency issued the statement following the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing a rise in involuntary hunger to 20 percent by the end of April, slightly higher than the 19.1 percent recorded from the April 11 to 15 survey.

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the department remains focused on initiatives such as the PHP20 per kg. rice distribution through the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program, which makes available aging but still good quality rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA), and the Rice for All (RFA) program.

“We accept this as a challenge na patuloy na magkaroon ng mga programa na makakatulong para sa ating mga kababayan (to continue having programs that will benefit our fellow countrymen),” he said in an interview.

“Ang pangunahing mandato ng DA para sa ating mga magsasaka’t mangingisda natin pero (The primary mandate of the DA focuses in our farmers and fishers, but) in the long run, of course, iyong mga consumers natin (even our consumers).”

De Mesa cited collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which involved the hiring of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) for the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) expansion and BBM Na sale for minimum wage earners.

He also mentioned the partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Walang Gutom program (WGP) for senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities from low-income households, granting them access to the PHP20 per kg. rice.

“Despite itong mga ganitong (this) perception survey, DA is still improving its ways on how to ensure na mararamdaman talaga ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na mga mahihirap (that our countrymen will feel it, especially the poor ones),” de Mesa explained.

Currently, the BBM Na program operates in 101 locations nationwide, including KNP centers, pop-up stores, and partner retailers across Metro Manila, Central Luzon (Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon), Mindoro provinces, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Siquijor, and 37 sites in Cebu.

The President, in his recent vlog, promised that the BBM Na program will stay and will be rolled out soon in more markets. (PNA)