The PhP20-per-kilo rice under the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” (BBM) program is now available in many KADIWA outlets in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goals to ensure food security, accessibility and affordability.
Several KADIWA stores in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal have started selling rice at PhP20 a kilo this week.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government plans to allocate an additional budget for the program for next year to realize President Marcos’s vision of making staple food more accessible to the public.
“Ang plano po sa susunod na taon po ay magkaroon po ng budget para maibigay po ang PhP20 na bigas kada kilo sa lahat. Iyan po ang plano depende pa po sa budget,” Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday.
The PhP20-per-kilo rice initiative is available only at select KADIWA centers until December 2025. At present, it is limited only to vulnerable groups, including low-income families, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities.
Castro cited the importance of cooperating with local government units (LGUs) to sustain and expand the program.
Castro said LGUs may determine their guidelines, allowing broader community distribution.
She also presented video interviews of several consumers who have expressed appreciation and satisfaction following the rollout of the affordable rice under the BBM rice program.
“Sana tuloy-tuloy ‘yung bigas na ganyang na katulad ng ipinangako niya. Natupad na ngayon lalong maganda. Salamat na Salamat,” a beneficiary said in live feed from Radio/TV Malacanang (RTVM).
Another beneficiary noted that, “Malaking tulong po ito sa tulad naming mga senior lalo na po ‘yung ibang walang trabaho, hindi na po nakakalakad. Malaking tulong na po ito. Nakakain na po kami nang sapat.”
The woman thanked the President for the affordable rice. “Salamat naman po at natupad na po ‘yung sinabi po ni… President po ang nagsabi nito na bibigyan na po ang tao ng bente pesos para kahit magkano ‘yung bibilhin ng tao puwede na po sila makakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw.”
The third beneficiary said she is happy that PhP20 a kilo of rice is now available. “Kasi alam mo na ngayong panahon mahal na ang bilihin. Malaki na itong maitutulong sa pamilya ko ‘yung ibang budget iba na rin ang bilhin namin. Kasi maganda na ito na natupad na ni Presidente ‘yung ipinangako niya na P20 per kilo ang bigas.” | PND
