A mother, a widow, and a former taxi driver were among those grateful to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for making the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, or bringing the price of a kilo of rice down to P20, possible.

For Ana Marie Mina, 34, of Zapote Uno, Bacoor City, the PhP20-per-kilo rice was a big help in easing her family’s daily expenses. Mina is a mother of five and a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Mina was among the first to line up at the KADIWA ng Pangulo stall in the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market to avail of the affordable rice.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami ng pamilya ko kay Presidente Marcos sa malaking tulong na ibinibigay niya sa pamilya po namin. Makakakuha kami ng murang bigas,” said Mina.

“Kahit papaano pambawas sa budget namin. Nakakabawas din sa gastusin. Nakakamenos,” Mina added.

President Marcos visited the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market on Wednesday to launch his “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” initiative, aimed at making rice more affordable and accessible to more Filipinos.

Just like Mina, Veronica Openyano, 60, a widow and resident of Zapote, Bacoor City, said it was her first time to purchase rice under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami ng aking pamilya kay Presidente Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. Sana po mapagpatuloy niya po ito ni Presidente. Maraming salamat po sa inyo,” Openyano said.

Rowel Bangis, 65, a former airport taxi driver and a resident of Zapote, likewise thanked President Marcos for helping his family economize through the PhP20 per kilo rice.

“Okay ang ginawa ng Presidente Marcos. Mabuti po ito sa ating mga Pilipino. Nagpapasalamat po ang aking pamilya kay President Marcos nang marami. Salamat po sa kanya,” Bangis said. | PND