MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making P20 per kilo rice permanently available to low-income Filipinos, stating that the initiative is not a short-term gimmick but a “sustainable” government program that will soon expand to more public markets nationwide.
“The P20 rice is here to stay. It is achievable, it is sustainable. Kaya abangan ninyo in your nearest public markets,” Marcos said in his latest vlog, reiterating a key campaign promise now materialized under the “Benteng Bigas Meron na!” (BBM) initiative of Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets.
The program currently benefits vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, indigent families, and minimum wage earners, with a target of reaching one million beneficiaries by year-end.
As newly elected and appointed officials took office on June 30, the President urged them to prioritize governance and cooperation.
“Tapos na po ang bahagi ng politika, serbisyo publiko na ang haharapin niyo ngayon,” he said. “Marami-rami tayong pagtutulungan sa lokal at national government at malaking bahagi ang LGU ng paghahatid natin ng serbisyo sa taumbayan.”
Addressing concerns that the low-cost rice program might hurt local farmers, Marcos said the government has put in place measures to stabilize palay prices and ensure farmers are not left behind. The National Food Authority (NFA), he said, continues to procure wet palay at P18 per kilo and dry palay at P19 to P23 per kilo.
“Kahit ano pa ang maging presyo ng bigas, hindi po bababa dito ang pagbili ng NFA sa palay mula sa ating mga magsasaka,” the President assured.
He also cited the nationwide distribution of rice processing facilities and mechanical dryers as part of the broader strategy to cut out middlemen and help farmers store and process their harvests more efficiently.
Ultimately, Marcos said the administration aims to build a “sustainable and inclusive agricultural economy” where food affordability and farmer welfare are no longer at odds./PN
