By PCO

Indigent families and other vulnerable sectors in Cavite are among the latest to benefit from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initiative to make rice accessible to millions of Filipino families at an affordable price of PhP20 per kilo.

President Marcos launched the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program on Wednesday at the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market in Bacoor City, marking the 94th outlet for the P20-per-kilo rice.

While on his way to the stalls offering the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, the President greeted and shook hands marketgoers, mostly elderly women, who were about to purchase the affordable rice. Many of them even took the opportunity to take a selfie with President Marcos.

Marketgoers also chanted “BBM, BBM, BBM!” as they eagerly greeted the President upon his arrival.

President Marcos was accompanied by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla.

Under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, those given priority in buying the PhP20 per kilo rice Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipients, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and minimum wage workers.

According to the DA, 500 sacks of rice procured by the National Food Authority from local farmers were delivered to the KADIWA ng Pangulo outlet at the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market.

The rice allotment allows 2,500 residents to purchase 10 kilos each at a subsidized price of Php20 per kilo.

The DA’s Food Terminal Inc. buys rice from the NFA and sells it through the KADIWA ng Pangulo network and other participants in the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program.

With 94 outlets established nationwide so far, the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program will be expanded to key urban centers, including those outside Metro Manila, to reach 15 million beneficiaries by next year. 

The meeting centered on updates regarding ongoing projects under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program.

Provincial S&T Director Ritchie Mae L. Guno also introduced innovative DOST technologies that align with the municipality’s development goals — including the 21st Century Learning Environment Model, VISSER, and DOST Courseware.

Mayor Gamboa expressed strong support for initiatives that uplift the education sector, one of his key priorities for Kalilangan.

Through programs like CEST, DOST continues to provide solutions and open opportunities for communities to thrive.

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) extended support to around 50 public schools in Metro Manila and Cavite for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela 2025 program, providing cleaning materials and hydration support to help prepare campuses for the new school year.

In coordination with local government units and DepEd school divisions, Maynilad donated various disinfecting supplies, 87 refrigerated drinking fountains, and 260 packs of bottled water to public schools in the cities of Valenzuela, Malabon, Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Makati, Imus, and Bacoor. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing partnership with government efforts to improve learning environments.

“We are pleased to support Brigada Eskwela once again, as it aligns with our sustainability agenda to promote health, education, and overall well-being in the communities we serve,” said Maynilad Chief Sustainability Officer Roel S. Espiritu. “By helping to create safe and welcoming school environments, we hope to empower more Filipino children to grow and thrive.”

In addition to its Brigada Eskwela efforts, Maynilad is refurbishing drink-and-wash stations in 20 public schools this year. It will also conduct W.A.S.H. (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) education sessions and reading caravans through its Daloy Dunong program, in partnership with its sister companies under the MVP group.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which consists of the following areas: The cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Ave.; the northern part starting from Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Hi-way), Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, and Valenzuela—all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province. (MAYNILAD) 

Don Carlos, Bukidnon — Don Carlos Bukidnon United Farmers Association, Inc. (DCBUFAI), Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), BARUG Villanueva Farmers Group, Sanlakas, and other organizations held a protest rally at the Department for Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office X in Cagayan De Oro, in support of the farmers’ decades-long fight for land rights. Simultaneously, a dialogue was conducted between DCBUFAI and DAR. 

A press conference was also conducted, led by DCBUFAI and PMCJ, after the dialogue. DCBUFAI and its allied organizations, PMCJ, Sanlakas, and Makabayan Pilipinas, urgently called on DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to intervene and resolve the decades-long issue immediately.

Despite repeated revalidations and dialogues, the farmers’ Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) remains unissued. “Thirty-three years after the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), members of the DCBUFAI continue to fight for ownership of the land they have tilled for decades. The farmers have been putting the spotlight on the DAR Region X Office for several years due to the delay in processing their claims,” PMCJ Mindanao Coordinator Rara Ada said.

In August 2024, a dialogue was held between farmers and DAR officials at the DAR Central Office, during which the former demanded the expedited release of their CLOA. Almost a year later, despite multiple follow-ups and revalidations, the farmers have yet to receive formal recognition of their land rights.

“Sa pila ka decada nga kami nag paningkamot nga ma amoa na ang among yuta nga gi uma, na hadlok na kami nga di na namo ma abtan na, nga mamatay na lang mi sa hinulata,” DCBUFAI President Jovencio Destor, Jr. said. [In the decades we have strived to claim the land we have tilled as our own, we have become afraid that we will never see it become ours, that we will die waiting in vain.] 

The group is claiming 109 hectares of land formerly part of Bukidnon Farms Inc. (BFI), a property previously owned by the late Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. and turned over to the government in 1986 for agrarian reform. A national dialogue in 2012 at the DAR Central Office promised to finalize the farmers’ revalidation by 2013, but no outcome has been reported since.

“Last 2016, Mindanao was severely hit by drought. Many landless farmers and displaced indigenous peoples were affected, resulting in a general hunger situation in Bukidnon and North Cotabato. Owning these lands enables their chances of survival in this climate crisis. Our farmers are vital to our goal of food security in the country. We cannot keep inflicting on them policies and systems that force them into poverty. It is not only cruel, but it also does not serve our national interests,” PMCJ National Coordinator Ian Rivera said.

June 30, 2025, marked President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. (PBBM)’s third year in office. He will give his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the end of this month. In his last SONA, he said that land reform will continue along with the distribution of land titles to farmers. However, this is not true for most farmers, as seen in the DCBUFAI case.

“A country that cannot feed itself cannot progress. We call for an overhaul of our land redistribution system to prioritize the needs of farmers and agricultural workers—no more delays. Award the farmers of Bukidnon their land now!” Rivera stressed.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to turn the agriculture sector around to be more robust and pursue self-sufficiency, aiming to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on food imports,
particularly rice.

Speaking before farmers and fisherfolk during the 50th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda held in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, President Marcos declared that agricultural self-sufficiency is a central goal of his administration.

“Darating din tayo sa araw na hindi na tayo masyadong umaasa sa importation. Kaya ‘yun ang ating habol. Iyon ang magiging sign of success natin kapag talagang nabawasan na natin nang husto ang ating pagbili ng imported rice,” President Marcos said.

“Pero kayo ang pag-asa. Kayo ang pag-asa ng agrikultura ng Pilipinas,” the President added.

To support this vision, President Marcos unveiled key government interventions aimed at expanding productivity and improving the sustainability of local farming.

Among these is the rollout of 16 mobile soil laboratories, which will provide farmers with vital soil diagnostics to optimize land use and fertilizer application.

The President also inaugurated rice processing and palay drying facilities worth PhP63.9 million and distributed PhP31 million worth of farm machinery to help farmers modernize production.

The Chief Executive explained that the mobile labs are designed to identify the precise needs of different farmlands, allowing for more efficient use of inputs and higher crop yields.

The President announced that permanent soil laboratories will follow the mobile rollout, with one already under development in Surigao supported by Australian assistance. | PND

Camp BGen Pantaleon Garcia, City of Imus, Cavite — A shooting incident occurred at approximately 9:20 AM on July 2, 2025, within the premises of the Carmona Component City Police Station involving a newly released convict.

PMAJ ROBERT S DIMAPILIS, Officer-in-Charge, identified the suspect as alias “AL”.

The suspect, who was recently incarcerated at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm for a murder case and released only on June 28, 2025, was brought to the police station following a complaint of alleged trespassing. However, as the complainant declined to press charges, the suspect remained within the premises for documentation.

In a sudden and violent turn of events, the suspect grabbed the service firearm of a police officer and opened fire indiscriminately. The officer sustained two gunshot wounds, while another responding police personnel, who intervened quickly, was hit in the left leg. The suspect sustained multiple gunshot wounds after the responding officers returned fire.

Both the injured police officers and the suspect were immediately given medical attention at the Pagamutang Bayan ng Carmona. One officer was later transferred to the Perpetual Help Medical Center for specialized care but later on he was declared dead by the attending physician while the other officer was discharged after treatment. The suspect was declared dead while undergoing medical treatment.

In response to the incident, crime scene investigators from the Provincial Forensic Unit were dispatched to process the scene. The firearm used, a Glock 9mm pistol, was recovered as part of the investigation.

PCOL DWIGHT E ALEGRE, Acting Provincial Director of the Cavite Police Provincial Office, commended the bravery and swift response of the police personnel involved.

“While this unfortunate incident reminds us of the unpredictability of the threats we may face, it also highlights the heroism, courage, and quick action of our police officers in containing a potentially deadlier situation. We remain committed to our duty to serve and protect, and we will ensure that our police personnel receive the necessary support and recognition they deserve. Thorough investigations are ongoing to ensure that justice will be served and that preventive measures are strengthened.”

The Cavite Police assures the public that security protocols are being reviewed, and that the safety of both police personnel and the community remains its top priority.