MALACANANG on Wednesday announced that the P20/kilo rice is now being sold in KADIWA stores in Metro Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR).
The announcement was made as the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, which offers rice at just P20 per kilo, is now available nationwide through newly-opened KADIWA centers.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that several KADIWA centers in the NCR have already started selling affordable rice.
Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program aims to stabilize rice prices and make basic goods more accessible, offering P20-per-kilo rice as part of the administration’s push to keep essentials affordable for all Filipinos.
“Alinsunod sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na palawigin pa ang programang ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na,’ kahapon ay nagsimula nang magbenta sa ilang KADIWA centers sa National Capital Region,” Castro said in a press briefing.
The P20/kilo rice is now is available in the following stores: Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office in Quezon City; Levi Town and Barangay San Antonio in Parañaque; AmVa MPC Housing in Valenzuela City; the Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila; KADIWA Center in Malabon; PNP-SPD Taguig; Kalentong Market in Mandaluyong; and Public Market in Pasay.
Starting May 15, a total of 32 KADIWA centers will open in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal, bringing the program closer to communities outside the capital.
Castro said that while the program seeks to provide affordable rice, it also aims to encourage price adjustments in traditional rice retail outlets.
The Palace Press officer expressed hope that the KADIWA initiative would help bring down rice prices in the market while also safeguarding the welfare of local farmers.
“We hope na kahit sa market po ay maibaba nila ang presyo ng bigas nang hindi naman po din naaapektuhan ang ating mga magsasaka,” Castro said.
The program, which transcends political affiliations, is designed to serve the needs of the public, especially during challenging economic times.
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