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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace urges newly elected local execs to support P20 rice program rollout

Palace urges newly elected local execs to support P20 rice program rollout

Published May 14, 2025 01:21 pm

At A Glance

  • Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the appeal after some of the local chief executives who expressed support for the program unfortunately did not win the elections on May 12.
Malacañang has called on newly elected local officials to support the continued implementation of President Marcos’ “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, as P20 per kilo rice becomes available in more Kadiwa centers nationwide.

'BENTENG BIGAS MERON NA' — An elderly man buys rice priced at P20 per kilo at the Pasay Public Market in Pasay City on Tuesday, May 13. (Mark Balmores)

 
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the appeal after some of the local chief executives who expressed support for the program unfortunately did not win the elections on May 12.

"Hindi po dapat gamitin kung nanalo o natalo ang mga kandidato. Ito po ay para sa taumbayan (Whether a candidate won or lost should not matter. This program is for the people)," she said in her press briefing on Wednesday, May 14.

"Dapat po sana ang lahat na maaaring makatulong sa kanilang constituents ay maging bukas ang kanilang isip at bukas ang kanilang puso sa pagtaguyod ng programang ito (We hope they will open their hearts and minds to programs that can help their constituents, such as this program)," she added.

According to Castro, the government launched the sale of P20 per kilo of rice under the President’s directive to make basic goods more affordable and accessible, especially to low-income families.

The Palace Press Officer confirmed that several Kadiwa Centers in Metro Manila are already selling the subsidized rice, including those located in the Department of Agriculture (DA) central office, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Manila, Malabon, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and Navotas.


More locations in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal will begin selling P20 rice on Thursday.

Castro expressed hope that the wider availability of low-cost rice will help influence market prices.

"We hope na kahit sa market po ay maibaba nila ang presyo ng bigas na hindi naman po din naaapektuhan ang ating mga magsasaka (We hope market prices will follow and drop as well, without negatively affecting our farmers)," she said.

Castro also dismissed criticisms that the program was merely a political tool timed with the midterm elections.

"Hindi lamang pang-eleksyon katulad ng sinasabi nila (This is not just for the elections like they say)," she said.

The P20 per kilo of rice is one of the campaign promises of President Marcos in 2022.

Related Tags

Claire Castro P20 rice Benteng Bigas Meron Na
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