Manila, May 13 -- Members of the vulnerable sector on Tuesday lauded the Department of Agriculture (DA) for officially launching the government's PHP20 per kilogram rice program in Metro Manila.

The Comelec implemented the program dubbed "Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na" in Metro Manila after the DA adhered to the Commission on Elections' "ayuda" (assistance) ban 10 days before the May 12 midterm elections.

The DA conducted the program's pilot launch in Cebu on May 1 in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to achieve food security and sufficiency.

Norma Domingo, 61, a street sweeper, thanked the government for pushing the kickoff implementation of the BBM Na in selected Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) sites in Metro Manila.

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