A veteran rice vendor from Mandaluyong Public Market II praised the PHP20-per-kilo rice under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, saying the quality remains high despite the low price.
Brigida Mesa, 68, said the rice is comparable to more expensive varieties and has received positive feedback from buyers. “Maganda naman po ‘yung bigas kasi ‘yung presyo lang naman ang bumaba pero ‘yung quality nandoon pa rin,” Mesa said.
The low-cost rice became available on May 13 through the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” or BBM Na! program, aimed at helping vulnerable sectors access affordable food. It was initially rolled out in Cebu and select Kadiwa centers in Metro Manila.
Mesa shared that while some people were skeptical at first, many eventually appreciated the rice’s taste and texture. “Marami talaga ‘yung nabili kasi biro mo ba naman ‘yung 20 pesos, parang mag-avail na sila ng two kilos na tig-40 pesos. Saka from 29 to 20 pesos, napakalaki ng binaba ng presyo, same quality naman,” she said.
The program allows eligible families—such as indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities—to buy up to 10 kilograms of rice per week, or a total of 40 kilograms per month.
Mesa said the program benefits both consumers and vendors. “Dahil sa Kadiwa ng Pangulo, malaking bagay at malaking tulong talaga sa mga tao dito sa nasasakupan namin sa barangay. Kasi biruin mo ba naman ‘yung 20 pesos, makakabili pa sila ng ibang bagay pa na sa savings nila … hindi na masyadong maghirap ‘yung mga tao kasi malaki ang matitipid nila,” she said.
“Grabeng laking tulong sa mga tao. Saka kahit ikaw na nagtitinda, masaya ka na na-a-avail nila ‘yung mababa kasi masaya din sila kaya nga nagdagsaan ng pila,” she added.
The government is aiming to make PHP20-per-kilo rice available to all Filipinos by 2026.
