President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday silenced skeptics of his administration’s Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, saying rice at the affordable price of PhP20 per kilo will be available nationwide.

“Napatunayan na natin na kaya na natin ang bente pesos sa bawat kilo ng bigas nang hindi malulugi ang ating mga magsasaka,” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“At dahil sa ilalaan nating 113 bilyong piso upang palakasin ang mga programa ng DA (Department of Agriculture), ilulunsad na natin ito sa buong bansa sa pamamagitan ng daan-daang Kadiwa store at center sa iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan,” the President stressed.

The Marcos administration has successfully launched outlets for the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Making rice more affordable and accessible reflects the administration’s commitment to ease the financial burden of Filipino families while sustaining the livelihood of the country’s farmers.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores sell rice at PhP20 per kilo to members of vulnerable sectors which include indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage workers.

The Marcos administration aims to make rice available to the public nationwide at PhP20 per kilo. | PND