With his food security programs in full force, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his administration’s goal to sell rice at PhP20 per kilo to the public nationwide is within reach.

“Hopefully, we will bring it up to the point that ‘bigas for all,’ it will all be 20 pesos,” President Marcos said in the second part of the BBM Podcast Episode 2 aired on Wednesday.

The Marcos administration is expanding the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program to deliver quality and affordable rice to more communities through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores currently sell the Benteng Bigas to members of vulnerable sectors, which include indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage workers.

President Marcos said the national government may eventually bear the full cost of the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, and do without the share of local government units (LGUs).

“Ngayon we are in partnership with the LGUs. Eventually, I’m looking at a proposal na next year, wala ng kontribusyon ang LGU. Ang kontribusyon lahat sa national government,” President Marcos said.

Currently, Kadiwa stores can supply PhP20 per kilo rice sufficient for 51% of the population, the Chief Executive said.

President Marcos said eventually, the regular retail price of rice will go down to PhP20 per kilo for all consumers.

The President pointed out that all-time high palay harvests in 2023 and 2024, and likely this year, are pushing rice prices down and making the PhP20/kilo goal more feasible. | PND