Marcos rolls out P20/kilo rice in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos launched the P20-per-kilo rice program in Cavite yesterday as part of his administration’s initiative to bring affordable rice to more indigent families and other vulnerable sectors.

Joining the President at the launch of the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program at the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market in Bacoor City were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla and Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the launch of the program in public markets is in line with the President’s directive to agencies to further expand the affordable rice program to benefit more low-income families.

“The President stresses that the government aims to ensure that every Filipino has enough food on the table,” Castro said at a press briefing.

Under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program, those given priority in buying the cheap rice are recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities and minimum wage workers.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), 500 sacks of rice procured by the National Food Authority from local farmers were delivered to the KADIWA ng Pangulo outlet at the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market.

The rice allotment is enough to allow 2,500 residents to purchase 10 kilos each, the DA said.

It is the 94th outlet for the P20-per-kilo rice.

According to Malacañang, the program will be expanded to key urban centers, including those outside Metro Manila, to reach 15 million beneficiaries by next year. 

Marcos earlier expressed confidence in sustaining his administration’s P20-per-kilo rice program, citing the country’s increasing rice production.

“In 2023… we had the largest crop of palay in the history of the Philippines. In 2024, we surpassed that. In 2025, we predict we’ll be able to surpass that again,” Marcos said in the second episode of his BBM podcast last month.

The high rice output could result in lower production cost and eventual drop in prices of the staple in the market, the President said.

“That’s why I’m so confident to say it (P20/kilo rice) will be sustainable,” the Chief Executive said.