Report Malacañang Urges Support for "Benteng Bigas Meron Na" Program Amid New Local Leadership

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Malacañang has reached out to newly elected local officials to back President Marcos’ "Benteng Bigas Meron Na" initiative, ensuring continued implementation as P20 per kilo rice becomes available in more Kadiwa centers across the nation. This appeal comes after some supportive local chief executives failed to win in the May 12 elections.

 

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed the importance of the program being embraced by all, regardless of election outcomes. "Whether a candidate won or lost should not matter. This program is for the people," she stated in her May 14 briefing. Castro urged officials to "open their hearts and minds to programs that can help their constituents."

 

This initiative aims to provide affordable rice to low-income families, a directive from President Marcos to make essential goods more accessible. Kadiwa Centers in Metro Manila, including locations in the Department of Agriculture's central office, as well as Parañaque, Valenzuela, Manila, Malabon, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and Navotas, are already retailing the subsidized rice. Additional locations in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal will join the program on Thursday.

 

Castro expressed optimism that increasing the availability of low-cost rice could lead to broader market price reductions without harming farmers. "We hope market prices will follow and drop as well, without negatively affecting our farmers," she said.

 

She also addressed and dismissed criticisms framing the program as a pre-election political maneuver. "This is not just for the elections like they say," Castro clarified. The initiative fulfills one of President Marcos' 2022 campaign promises, demonstrating the administration's commitment to improving access to affordable staple foods, independent of political timelines.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-05-14