The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will begin offering P20 per kilo of rice to beneficiaries of its “Walang Gutom Program” (WGP) starting on Monday, July 7.

The launch will take place during a food redemption activity in Tondo, Manila, under the initiative “Benteng Bigas, Meron na sa WGP,” which is in line with President Marcos’ directive to provide affordable rice to food-poor and vulnerable sectors.

“Simula sa Lunes, makakabili na ang ating mga benepisyaryo ng P20 kada kilong bigas mula sa mga accredited retailers at ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo.’ Ito ay malaking tulong para mas mapalawak ang kakayahan nilang makabili ng masustansya at sapat na pagkain para sa buong pamilya (Starting Monday, our beneficiaries can buy rice at P20 per kilo from accredited retailers and ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ outlets. This is a major help in enabling families to purchase nutritious and sufficient food,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Sunday, July 6.

The initial rollout covers solo parents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities enrolled in the WGP.

The subsidized rice will be available through Department of Agriculture-accredited suppliers and retailers, including Kadiwa stores, during scheduled food redemption days.

Under the WGP, beneficiaries receive P3,000 monthly food credits through electronic benefit transfer cards.

These credits can be used to purchase nutritious food items during redemption events, following their participation in required nutrition education sessions.

To ensure a balanced diet, the food credits are divided as follows: 50 percent (P1,500) for carbohydrate-rich foods like rice and bread, 30 percent (P900) for protein sources such as chicken or pork, and 20 percent (P600) for vegetables, fruits, oil, salt, and condiments.

Dumlao said the inclusion of P20 per kilo of rice is intended to maximize the purchasing power of food credits and improve food security.

“This coordination with the DA is a big boost to our efforts to fight hunger and promote proper nutrition. Through this initiative, our beneficiaries can now access affordable rice while continuing to buy healthy food for their families,” Dumlao said.

WGP, a flagship anti-hunger initiative of the Marcos administration, currently supports 300,000 low-income households and aims to reach 750,000 families by 2028.