MANILA (May 16) — The Marcos administration is hopeful that by 2026, all Filipinos—not just those in vulnerable sectors—can buy rice at ₱20 per kilo, Malacañang said Friday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed optimism that the plan is achievable.
“For now, vulnerable groups are the priority beneficiaries through Kadiwa centers until December 2025,” Castro said during a Palace briefing. “But the goal is to allocate a budget next year so that everyone can access ₱20-per-kilo rice. That’s the plan, depending on available funding.”
More Kadiwa centers are now offering affordable but quality rice, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure food security, affordability, and accessibility.
The “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program is currently available in 32 Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) outlets in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to expand this to at least 55 KNP centers by June, with plans to include areas in Mindanao to reach more low-income households. Aside from Cebu’s provincial government, local governments in Siquijor, Southern Leyte, and Bohol have also ordered National Food Authority (NFA) rice stocks, totaling 673,000 50-kg. bags, according to the Food and Terminal Inc.
