MANILA – The government is incorporating the sale of rice at P20 per kilogram into the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program (WGP) to enhance food accessibility for low-income families.
According to Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the move is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to work in a coordinated manner.
Gatchalian said he had met with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to finalize the supply of P20 per kilo rice to Walang Gutom Program accredited retailers, such as Kadiwa outlets and small agri-cooperatives.
“Bibigyan sila ng supply para ‘yung credits nila, mas marami silang mabili,” Gatchalian said in a media briefing at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.
The agency has submitted a list of about 1,000 accredited retailers to the DA to start the rollout, he added.
Launched in July 2023 under Executive Order 44, the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program is designed to address hunger among 750,000 food-insecure families.
Participants in the program receive monthly food credits that can be redeemed at partner retailers, in addition to receiving nutrition education.
In parallel, the P20 per kilo rice initiative, known as Benteng Bigas Meron Na!, serves as a flagship program of the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority. This initiative fulfills the President’s campaign promise to make rice more affordable for the public./PN
