BENTENG BIGAS ‘MAALSA, MASARAP’ – RICE SELLER

A VENDOR praised the P20-per-kilo rice offered under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, noting that the cooked rice remains flavorful and high-quality despite its affordable price.

In an interview with the Presidential News Desk on Sunday, Brigida Mesa, 68, expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for delivering on his promise to lower the price of rice.

Mesa described the Kadiwa rice as “masarap” and “maalsa,” noting that some customers have shared the same positive feedback.

Mesa said many residents are taking full advantage of the affordable and high-quality Kadiwa rice sold in her store at the Kadiwa Store in Mandaluyong Public Market II.

“Maganda naman po ‘yung bigas kasi ‘yung presyo lang naman ang bumaba pero ‘yung quality nandoon pa rin,” Mesa said.

She added that the P20-per-kilo rice is comparable to other rice varieties that cost at least P35 per kilo.

Mesa said the President’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo program is a big help to ordinary families who need to make ends meet.

According to Mesa, the affordable rice has allowed residents to save significantly.

She likened purchasing two kilos of rice at P20 each to getting a buy-one, take-one deal.

“Dahil sa Kadiwa ng Pangulo, malaking bagay at malaking tulong talaga sa mga tao dito sa nasasakupan namin sa barangay. Kasi biruin mo ba naman ‘yung 20 pesos, makakabili pa sila ng ibang bagay pa na sa savings nila … hindi na masyadong maghirap ‘yung mga tao kasi malaki ang matitipid nila,” she said.

“Marami talaga ‘yung nabili kasi biro mo ba naman ‘yung 20 pesos, parang mag-avail na sila ng two kilos na tig-40 pesos. Saka from 29 to 20 pesos, napakalaki ng binaba ng presyo, same quality naman tapos ‘yun din ‘yung ibinaba ng price,” she explained.

Mesa affirmed the invaluable service provided by the Kadiwa program to lower-income residents.

“Grabeng laking tulong sa mga tao.  Saka kahit ikaw na nagtitinda, masaya ka na na-a-avail nila ‘yung mababa kasi masaya din sila kaya nga nagdagsaan ng pila,” Mesa said.

The P20-per-kilo rice became available on May 13 at Mandaluyong Public Market II in Bgy. Addition Hills.

The Kadiwa program aligns with President Marcos’ directive to make rice and essential food items accessible, particularly to vulnerable groups.