P20/kilo rice to reach 32 Kadiwa centers in provinces near NCR
MANILA – The government is expanding its P20 per kilo rice program to 32 additional Kadiwa Centers in provinces near Metro Manila starting Thursday, Malacañang announced Wednesday.
According to Palace Press Office Claire Castro, the move matches President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to make affordable rice accessible to more Filipinos.
Castro stressed that the program is a continuing initiative and not driven by political timing.
“Ito’y hindi lamang pang-eleksyon katulad ng sinasabi nila. Bukas na po ang ibang mga Kadiwa Centers natin para po sa bente pesos na bigas (This is not just for election purposes as some claim. Our Kadiwa Centers are now open to offer P20 rice),” she said in a press briefing.
According to Castro, the low-cost rice will also be available in 32 Kadiwa Centers across the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Mindoro starting Thursday.
Currently, P20 per kg. rice has been sold at several Kadiwa sites in Metro Manila since Tuesday.
Through government subsidies, the cost of rice is brought down to the targeted PHP20 per kg. — fulfilling a campaign promise by Marcos in 2022.
The program, officially named “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” or BBM Na!, was initially launched on May 1 in Cebu and parts of Metro Manila but was temporarily suspended after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) raised concerns over an ‘ayuda’ (assistance) ban 10 days leading to the midterm elections on May 12.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the suspension to comply with election laws, but has since resumed the rollout following the conclusion of the polls.
