CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — Vulnerable sectors in various parts of Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were able to purchase rice at just P20 per kilo through the Department of Agriculture’s “Benten Bigas, Meron Na” program.
In Dasmariñas City, residents of Barangay Salitran III expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for fulfilling his promise to make rice more affordable for the public.
“Maraming salamat po kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa pagsasakatuparan ninyo ng pangakong gawing bente pesos ang presyo ng bigas. Sana po ay laging may ganito dahil malaki po talaga ang maitutulong nito sa amin,” said Bella Maneses, who lined up early to avail of the discounted rice.
Maneses added that the low-cost rice is a big help to her family, especially amid the rising prices of basic goods.
According to City Agriculturist Jennifer Ibayan, the program prioritizes members of the vulnerable sector, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“Suportado ng pamahalaang lungsod ang pagbebenta ng murang bigas na layuning tulungan ang ating mga kababayang kabilang sa vulnerable sector upang magkaroon sila ng sapat at masustansyang pagkain,” Ibayan said.
In Santa Rosa City, Laguna, the local government has also begun rolling out the P20-per-kilo rice program, made available every Friday through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Center.
“Maraming mamamayan ng Santa Rosa ang tumangkilik sa pagbebenta ng mas murang bigas—lalo na ang mga senior citizen, PWD, solo parents, at 4Ps beneficiaries. Alinsunod ito sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na palawigin ang access ng publiko sa abot-kayang at dekalidad na bigas,” the Santa Rosa City Agriculture Office said in a statement.
Aside from affordable rice, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo also offers a variety of quality agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, other food items, and locally made goods from various parts of Calabarzon.
The Santa Rosa City Agriculture Office reaffirmed the local government’s full commitment to ensuring continuous access to affordable and nutritious food for its constituents.
Meanwhile, in Antipolo City, stocks of P20 rice were quickly sold out, reflecting high demand and strong community support for the initiative.
Antipolo City Mayor Andeng Ynares also underscored the local government’s full support for the “Bente Bigas, Meron Na!” program, which she said aligns with efforts to make rice more accessible to the general public.
Other LGUs participating in this initiative are Naic in Cavite; and Rodriguez, and Binangonan in Rizal, which are scheduled to sell the affordable rice every Thursday and Friday at designated Kadiwa Centers.
Meanwhile, Kadiwa Centers in Kalayaan in Laguna; and San Mateo, Rizal will offer the subsidized rice every Friday.
The “Bente Bigas, Meron Na!” initiative is part of the Marcos administration’s broader commitment to ensuring food affordability and strengthening local food systems under the Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda.
