President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday dispelled any doubts about the sustainability of his Benteng Bigas Meron Na program that offers quality rice at PhP20 per kilo to the country’s vulnerable sectors.

“Marami pa rin ang nagdududa kung paano masu-sustain o patatagalin itong 20 peso rice na ito. ‘May stock ba tayo ng bigas? Kaya ba ito bayaran ng gobyerno?” the President said in a video posted on his Youtube channel.

“Masu-sustain po natin ‘yan basta nagtutulungan ang lahat. Ang sisiguruhin natin ay hindi mawawalan ng abot-kayang bigas ang ating mga kababayan,” the President stressed in his “BBMVLOG #270: Mga Pagbabago” posted on his Youtube channel.

The government has rolled out the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program nationwide, selling rice at Php 20 per kilo in Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets to members of vulnerable sectors including 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents.

The program fulfills President Marcos’ commitment to make the staple food more affordable and ease the financial burden of the poor while ensuring support for farmers to sustain their rice production.

In the vlog, the President listened to the feedback from some beneficiaries who were able to better feed their families because of the affordable rice.

“Napakalaking bagay po nito lalo na po sa mga mahihirap po nating mga kababayan. Ang 20 pesos po ay malaking bagay. Kami ay sobra-sobra po talagang nagagalak,” one woman said.

Another woman said: “Masyadong masaya ako kasi maraming nangarap niyan. Malaking bagay po ‘yan.”

“Pinaparating ko po ‘yung aking buong-pusong pasasalamat sa ganitong programa na inyo pong itinayo,” a third woman said, referring to President Marcos. | PND