Hundreds of buyers lined up in Lingayen, Pangasinan to get their hands on rice priced at just P20 per kilo.

Residents formed long queues outside the Lingayen municipal hall on Wednesday, hoping to buy the much-talked-about P20 per kilo rice under the Department of Agriculture’s “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” program.

The program aims to help vulnerable sectors, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, solo parents, and 4Ps beneficiaries, access affordable food supplies.

One of the early buyers was Julie Rivero, who said the low price helps stretch her budget amid the rising cost of goods.

“Kahit papaano, siyempre nakakamenos sa gastusin kasi P20 lang,” she said.

To ensure fair distribution, officials limited each person to five kilos of the P20 rice.

Another variety, priced at P30 per kilo, was also available, with a limit of 25 kilos per buyer.

Lingayen Municipal Agriculturist Rodolfo Dela Cruz explained that supply was limited but efforts are being made to request more from national sources.

“Pasensya po sa ating mga kababayan na hindi nakabili ng P20 per kilo na NFA rice kasi very limited ang stocks natin. Huwag mag-alala, patuloy tayo na magre-request sa Food Terminal Inc. para bigyan tayo ulit ng supply ng NFA rice,” he said.