More than 12 million Filipinos have already benefited from the government’s “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assuring the public that the affordable rice initiative will continue.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcos Jr. said the program remains one of the administration’s key efforts to help families cope with rising food costs.
“Patuloy pa rin ang programang Benteng Bigas Meron Na. Ito’y nakakapagbigay-ginhawa sa mahigit labing-dalawang milyong Pilipino sa buong bansa,” the President said.
Marcos Jr. also highlighted the role of more than 800 KADIWA outlets nationwide, where consumers can buy affordable food while farmers and fisherfolk sell their produce directly.
He added that more than 26,000 metric tons of rice have already been distributed to over 2.5 million families, with the government targeting to reach as many as 8 million families.
“Sa panahon na lumiit ang kita dahil sa mataas na mga presyo, mahigit dalawampu’t anim na libong toneladang bigas ang binigay sa mahigit dalawa’t kalahating milyong pamilya. At ito’y itutuloy pa natin hanggang umabot sa walong milyong pamilya na makikinabang,” Marcos Jr. said.
The President said the government also moved to keep imported rice prices from further increasing while going after those who took advantage of consumers.
He added that the government continues to support farmers and fisherfolk through capital, farm inputs, machinery, training and insurance, saying these efforts have helped increase the country’s production of rice, corn, sugar, pork and poultry since 2023.
“Ang sari-saring mga programa, tulad ng puhunan, farm inputs, kagamitan, kaalaman, pati na insurance, ay tumutulong sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda…” said Marcos Jr.IMT
