President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government’s “Benteng Bigas” program was made possible by reforms in the agriculture sector and intensified efforts against rice smuggling, which he said previously distorted prices and supply.
In an interview posted on the PBBM Official Facebook page on Wednesday, Marcos said the administration had to strengthen local production before it could lower rice prices.
“Ang key d’yan ay ‘yung production. Kaya panay ang patayo namin ng irrigation. Andami namin dam na ginawa,” the President said, citing irrigation projects and farm infrastructure investments.
He added that government interventions helped boost palay production, which he said reached record levels in 2023 and 2024.
Marcos also pointed to corruption and irregularities in rice importation, saying some officials benefited from both legal and illegal import activities, which weakened support for local farmers.
“Ang katotohanan, ang nakita namin, ang pang-control doon sa presyo ng bigas ay ang smuggled na bigas,” he said, noting that smuggled rice contributed to hoarding and price manipulation.
He said the government’s crackdown on rice smuggling, including warehouse raids, helped expose structural weaknesses in the supply system and underscored the need to reform the National Food Authority (NFA).
The NFA is tasked with maintaining buffer stocks, supporting farmers, and ensuring food security under disaster and supply disruptions.
Marcos said the reforms required policy changes and institutional restructuring, calling them a necessary but gradual process.
“Lahat ‘yan, ‘yung mga changes na ganyan, hindi ganun ka-simpleng gawin,” he said, noting that reforms involved legal and institutional adjustments.
The “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program is the government’s initiative to provide affordable rice to Filipino families and workers.