President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public that the government’s P20 per kilo rice program is not a temporary measure and will soon be available in more public markets nationwide.
In his latest vlog released Sunday, July 6, Marcos said the program, being rolled out through Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets for vulnerable sectors, is part of the administration’s efforts to provide affordable food and strengthen the agriculture sector through sustained collaboration between the national and local governments.
“P20 rice is here to stay. It is achievable, it is sustainable. So, watch out for it in your nearest public markets,” Marcos said.
The initiative called “Benteng Bigas Meron na! (BBM)” was one of Marcos’ campaign promises, aimed at alleviating the burden of rising food prices.
The P20/kg rice is currently available to senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, indigent families, and minimum wage earners, with one million targeted beneficiaries by yearend.
PALAY PRICES PROTECTED
Addressing concerns that the low rice prices may hurt farmers, Marcos reiterated that safeguards are in place to prevent the depression of palay (unhusked rice) prices.
He said the National Food Authority (NFA) is mandated to purchase wet palay at P18 per kilo and dry palay at P19 to P23 per kilo.
“No matter the price of rice in the market, the NFA will not buy palay from our farmers below these rates,” he assured.
Marcos also cited the continued rollout of rice processing facilities and dryers across the country to empower farmers to store and process their harvest, instead of being forced to sell to traders at low prices.*PNA