President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday dispelled any doubts about the sustainability of his Benteng Bigas Meron Na program that offers quality rice at ₱20 per kilo to the country’s vulnerable sectors.
“Many are still unsure about how this 20-peso rice will be sustained or extended. ‘Do we have a stock of rice? Can the government pay for it?’” the President said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
“We can sustain it if everyone works together. We will ensure that our people will not run out of affordable rice,” he stressed in BBMVLOG #270: Mga Pagbabago, which ran for six minutes and 37 seconds.
The government has rolled out the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program nationwide, selling rice at ₱20 per kilo in Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets to members of vulnerable sectors, including 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents.
The program fulfills President Marcos’ long-standing promise to make the staple food more affordable and ease the financial burden of the poor, while also supporting farmers in sustaining their rice production.
In the vlog, the President shared testimonials from beneficiaries who said the low-cost rice allowed them to better feed their families.
“This is a big deal, especially for our poor countrymen. ₱20 is a big deal. We are very happy,” one woman said.
Another added: “I am very happy because many people have been waiting for it. It is a big deal.”
Also in the same vlog, President Marcos ordered the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to ensure that all major canals and irrigation infrastructure across the country are well-maintained to support farmers and boost agricultural production.
“That’s part of the National Irrigation Authority’s mandate—to make sure the major canals and irrigation infrastructure are always in good order,” he said.
The directive comes after the President oversaw the third tranche of NIA’s re-fleeting program last week, which saw the distribution of 229 units of new agricultural machinery to field offices nationwide.
“These machines will ensure that our irrigation is always well-maintained. The flow of water is good,” Marcos noted.
Under the President’s directive, the re-fleeting program aims to modernize NIA’s logistics and field operations. It includes the deployment of heavy equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks, service vehicles, and canal dredgers to regional offices.
The initiative is part of the broader Bagong Pilipinas agenda, which aims to raise agricultural output, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure a stable and affordable food supply.
Farmers’ groups and local government units have welcomed the additional support, saying it will help rehabilitate and maintain aging irrigation systems that have long been in need of upgrades.
