Some 1,000 Kapampangans benefited from the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na program held at the Lubao Municipal Hall in Lubao, Pampanga on 3 February 2026, allowing qualified residents to purchase rice for as low as P20 per kilo.

The activity was carried out under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Pampanga. Beneficiaries included minimum wage earners, workers, and other sectors affected by rising commodity prices.

The program was led by Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., secretary of the Department of Agriculture, together with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, and Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda.

The ceremony also marked the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Provincial Government of Pampanga and Food Terminal Inc., clarifying that no subsidy is being provided by the local government.

Under the agreement, rice valued at P33 per kilo may be sold directly to Kapampangans at P20 per kilo through the national government’s rice assistance program, ensuring continued access to affordable rice.

Also present during the activity were Board Member Florabel Yatco and officials from the Department of Agriculture, the National Food Authority, Food Terminal Inc., and the provincial government.