The much-anticipated sale of P20 per kilo rice officially launched in the Visayas on Thursday, with early-morning crowds forming at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
The program, called “P20 Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na,” was spearheaded by Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and kicked off shortly after 11 a.m. The event marks the fulfillment of a high-profile campaign promise by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to bring affordable rice to Filipino families.
More than a thousand sacks of rice were delivered and repacked into small plastic bags bearing the image of President Marcos. These were distributed to the public during the pilot rollout at the Capitol grounds.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, National Food Authority Administrator Larry Lacson, and other government officials were also present during the launch.
Aside from the low-cost rice, visitors were able to purchase fresh produce and local delicacies from different parts of Cebu through the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” market fair held at the same venue.
The program aims to address the rising cost of staple goods while supporting local farmers and vendors. However, the scale and sustainability of the P20 rice rollout remain to be seen as demand continues to grow in other regions.
Officials have yet to confirm how frequently and in which other areas the subsidized rice will be made available.
