MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government has proven it is now possible to sell rice at P20 per kilo without causing losses to farmers.

“Sa mga nagtatanong kung nasaan na ang ‘bente pesos na bigas’: Ito ang aking tugon. Napatunayan natin na kaya na natin ang bente pesos sa bawat kilo ng bigas, nang hindi malulugi ang mga magsasaka,” Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address.

He said the initiative has been rolled out in areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including San Juan, Pangasinan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu, Bacolod, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Davao del Sur.

“Ilulunsad na natin ito sa buong bansa, sa pamamagitan ng daan-daang KADIWA Stores at Centers sa iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan,” he added.

To sustain the program, the administration is allocating P113 billion to strengthen Department of Agriculture programs.

Marcos warned rice traders against price manipulation and exploitation of farmers.

“Binabalaan ko ang mga trader na magtatangkang mag-manipula ng presyo ng palay at bigas, o manloloko ng mga magsasaka. Hahabulin namin kayo, dahil ang ginagawa ninyo ay economic sabotage,” he said.