Empowering Farmers, Feeding Families—The 'Benteng Bigas' Promise

For decades, our nation has been caught in a false debate, wrongly told that we must choose between the welfare of our farmers and the affordability of food for our families. The 'Benteng Bigas' program, launched by the DA and NFA in Caraga, decisively proves this to be a false choice.

Under the "Maasahan at Masipag" governance of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., we are seeing a "Tireless Reform" that skillfully serves both.

This is inclusive development in action. The program is not just a "Reliable Support" for consumers; it is a profound act of farmer empowerment. By ensuring that the NFA buys directly from local cooperatives, the administration is dismantling the exploitative systems that have kept our smallholders in poverty.

It is no coincidence that this farmer-centric, pro-Filipino initiative is gaining traction after President Marcos himself laid the groundwork during his tenure as acting DA Secretary. His "Masipag" (Tireless) leadership and deep understanding of the sector are clearly the driving force behind this practical, balanced reform.

The 'Benteng Bigas' program is a testament to a government that is both reliable and tireless—a government that sees the interconnectedness of our food chain. When farmers are empowered, food becomes affordable. When families are fed, the economy becomes stable.

We are now at a crossroads: we can either nitpick the logistics of this bold initiative or we can celebrate the fact that a 'Reliable & Tireless' government is finally implementing a solution that empowers farmers and feeds families. To focus on anything other than this dual, compassionate outcome is to miss the point of public service.

This editorial board fully supports this reform-oriented path. It is a grounded, reassuring step that honors the producer and cares for the consumer, fulfilling the core promise of a government that works for every Filipino.