Marcos says he can sustain P20 per kilo rice

KUALA LUMPUR - ''Watch me sustain it.''

This was the bold statement made by President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. as regards his administration's P20 per kilo of rice. 

Speaking to Philippine reporters, Marcos said he was finally able to implement his campaign promise. He said he understands the sentiments of some of the public, saying that his project is only for optics. 

''We'll talk in May of 2028, natuloy ba o hindi. We found a way. We found a way to do it. We found a way to do it. We could not do it before. Hindi kaya kasi hindi pa kaya ng sistema. Iba pa ‘yung presyo ng bigas noon,'' he added.

The President earlier explained why it took time for him to fulfill his campaign promise of P20 per kilo of rice, noting that the government needs to provide assistance first to the local farmers, including the provision of machinery. 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) initially implemented the sale of rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas region. According to the DA, Marcos wants it to be implemented across the country in the long run. 

The second phase, which will commence in July, will be in the Mindanao region. 

The P20 per kilogram rice initiative under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program only allows members of vulnerable sectors—including indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents to buy NFA rice at P20 per kilogram.

Rice sold in Kadiwa centers is subsidized by the government through the Food Terminal Inc.

The DA is aiming to sustain the program until the end of Marcos' term in June 2028, potentially covering up to 15 million households, or approximately 60 million Filipinos. —LDF, GMA Integrated News