MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public that the government’s “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” program, which offers rice at P20 per kilo, will remain sustainable with the help of all sectors.

In his weekly vlog posted on YouTube, Marcos addressed concerns surrounding the viability of the initiative, particularly the availability of rice stocks and the government’s capacity to finance the subsidy.

“Marami pa rin ang nagdududa kung paano masu-sustain o patatagalin itong 20 peso rice na ito. ‘May stock ba tayo ng bigas? Kaya ba ito bayaran ng gobyerno?’” the President said.

“Masu-sustain po natin ‘yan basta nagtutulungan ang lahat. Ang sisiguruhin natin ay hindi mawawalan ng abot-kayang bigas ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.

The program, now being implemented nationwide, provides P20-per-kilo rice through Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets to members of vulnerable sectors, including 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents.

According to the President, the initiative fulfills his administration’s promise to make basic food commodities more affordable while continuing to support farmers to ensure sufficient local rice production.

In the same vlog episode, Marcos featured testimonies from beneficiaries who said the low-cost rice has significantly helped their families.

“Napakalaking bagay po nito lalo na po sa mga mahihirap po nating mga kababayan. Ang 20 pesos po ay malaking bagay. Kami ay sobra-sobra po talagang nagagalak,” one woman said.

Another shared: “Masyadong masaya ako kasi maraming nangarap niyan. Malaking bagay po ‘yan.”

“Pinaparating ko po ‘yung aking buong-pusong pasasalamat sa ganitong programa na inyo pong itinayo,” said another beneficiary.