Malacañang on Wednesday announced that the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, which offers rice at just PhP20 per kilo, is now available nationwide through newly opened KADIWA centers.
Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program aims to stabilize rice prices and make basic goods more accessible, offering PhP20-per-kilo rice as part of the administration’s push to keep essentials affordable for all Filipinos.
Providing an update on the program’s ongoing implementation, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that several KADIWA centers in the National Capital Region (NCR) have already started selling affordable rice.
“Alinsunod sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na palawigin pa ang programang ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na,’ kahapon ay nagsimula nang magbenta sa ilang KADIWA centers sa National Capital Region,” Castro said in a press briefing.
The program is available in key locations such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office in Quezon City; Levi Town and Barangay San Antonio in Parañaque; AmVa MPC Housing in Valenzuela City; the Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila, and KADIWA centers in Malabon, Pasay, and Taguig.
Starting May 15, a total of 32 KADIWA centers will open in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal, bringing the program closer to communities outside the capital.
Castro said that while the program seeks to provide affordable rice, it also aims to encourage price adjustments in traditional rice retail outlets.
Castro expressed hope that the KADIWA initiative would help bring down rice prices in the market while also safeguarding the welfare of local farmers.
“We hope na kahit sa market po ay maibaba nila ang presyo ng bigas nang hindi naman po din naaapektuhan ang ating mga magsasaka,” Castro said.
The program, which transcends political affiliations, is designed to serve the needs of the public, especially during challenging economic times. | PND
