By Brian Campued
In fulfillment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s aspiration of making affordable rice accessible to more Filipinos across the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) expanded its “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” Program in Metro Manila and nearby provinces beginning Tuesday.
This after the agency temporarily paused the program’s rollout in compliance with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) advice to honor the 10-day spending ban due to the 2025 midterm polls.
The P20 per kilo sale of rice was launched in Cebu on Labor Day, May 1.
According to the DA ASec. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who oversees the Kadiwa Program, the cheaper quality rice would be available in select Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers across Metro Manila and would also be expanded in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal by May 15.
Vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will have access to subsidized rice available at KADIWA centers ; they will be allowed to buy up to 30 kg of rice per month.
The DA also projected that as many as 2 million households or around 10 million Filipinos will benefit from the sale of the affordable rice—which realizes the campaign promise of the President.
The Chief Executive likewise directed the agency to extend the program’s implementation until 2028. (with report from JM Pineda / PTV News)
-jpv
