MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday announced the nationwide rollout of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, offering rice at P20 per kilo through newly opened KADIWA centers.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that several KADIWA centers in the National Capital Region (NCR) have already started selling the affordable rice.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na palawigin pa ang programang ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na,’ kahapon ay nagsimula nang magbenta sa ilang KADIWA centers sa National Capital Region,” Castro said in a press briefing.

The program is currently available in key locations including the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office in Quezon City; Levi Town and Barangay San Antonio in Parañaque; AmVa MPC Housing in Valenzuela City; the Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila; and KADIWA centers in Malabon, Pasay, and Taguig.

Beginning May 15, an additional 32 KADIWA centers are set to open in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal to extend the program’s reach beyond the capital region.

Castro said the program aims not only to provide affordable rice but also to encourage traditional retailers to adjust their prices.

“We hope na kahit sa market po ay maibaba nila ang presyo ng bigas nang hindi naman po din naaapektuhan ang ating mga magsasaka,” she said.