by Niko Dacanay
(June 18, 2025) — President Bongbong Marcos maintained his confidence in the sustainability of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program or the sale of P20/kilo subsidized rice in Kadiwa stores and local government stalls.
In an exclusive interview with News5 and OnePH anchor Cheryl Cosim for the BBM Podcast Episode 2, Marcos said he expects market prices of rice to continue going down, thanks to stronger local production.
“Since our production is already going up, bababa ang cost of production….ang pagbenta ng NFA [ng bigas] pababa nang pababa [ang presyo]. That’s why I’m so confident masabing sustainable [ang murang bigas],” said Marcos.
The government recently expanded the sale of P20/kilo rice to make it available to minimum wage earners.
The president said the government helped boost domestic yield by extending the necessary support to farmers.
“Basta’t ipatuloy natin, magbigay tayo ng makinarya sa farmer, pagandahin natin lahat ng irrigation natin, mag-research tayo kung ano ‘yung magagandang bagong variety,” he said.
PROTECTING FARMERS
Aside from supporting local production, the President also vowed to protect farmers from market volatility.
The assurance comes amid reports of traders buying palay for as low as P11/kilo as well as reservations about the continued decline in retail prices of rice.
Marcos said the National Food Authority’s buying price will always ensure a profit for farmers.
“Kahit ano pa ang mangyari sa presyo ng bigas na ipinagbibili natin sa mga palengke, hindi natin ibababa ang buying price ng NFA,” Marcos said.
As of April 2024, the National Food Authority buys clean and dry palay at P23 to P30 per kilo while fresh and wet palay are priced at P17 to P23 per kilo.
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