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. | PND