By Filane Mikee Cervantes | Philippine News Agency
The government’s P20-per-kilo rice initiative can be sustained until December and may be included in the national budget next year, a Palace official said Friday.
“According to the reports given to the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), the program can be sustained up to December of this year and maybe by the following year, 2026, it will be considered or included in the budget,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the “Benteng Bigas Mayroon (BBM) Na” program in Cebu City on May 1 under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) initiative.
Under the KNP program, rice is made available through targeted mechanisms, particularly for vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Each qualified household is allowed to purchase up to 30 kilograms of National Food Authority (NFA) rice per month at P20 per kilo.
Castro said initial feedback from the pilot launch in Cebu was positive, noting strong turnout and consumer satisfaction.
“Nakita po natin lalong-lalo na sa mainstream media na napakarami pong nag-avail, marami pong pumila, marami pong nakinabang sa mga kababayan natin sa Cebu at nakabili po ng bigas na bente pesos po kada kilo,” she said.
“Ang mga reporters po, sinundan po ang mga nakabili at sila po ang nagpatunay na maganda po ang bigas, naisaing po nila, at tuwang-tuwa po ang mga kababayan natin sa Cebu,” she said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Cebu’s provincial government began selling the rice ahead of other regions due to a Commission on Elections request to delay the Metro Manila rollout until after the May 12 midterm elections.
The Metro Manila launch is now set for May 13, with at least 16 sites being prepared, including locations in Quezon City, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and Pasig.
Castro said the program rollout will continue to prioritize those most in need.
“Uunahin po muna natin sila… pinag-aralan din po para hindi rin po magkagulo at mauna po ’yong mas nangangailangan,” she said.
The DA expects the initiative to help decongest NFA warehouses before peak harvest season and serve as a model for nationwide implementation through 2028.
In Cebu alone, more than 30 local governments participating in the Sugbo Merkadong Barato program have started selling the P20/kg rice, with over 3,700 rice bags for sale.
