A RICE vendor at Mandaluyong Public Market II vouched for the quality of the PHP20-per-kilogram rice of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, saying it is comparable with more expensive varieties.
Brigida Mesa, 68, said the low-cost rice remains flavorful and well-textured, noting consistent positive feedback from buyers.
“Maganda naman po ‘yung bigas kasi ‘yung presyo lang naman ang bumaba pero ‘yung quality nandoon pa rin (The rice is good because only the price went down, but the quality is still there),” Mesa said, as quoted in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release Sunday.
The PHP20-per-kilo rice was made available on May 13 through the Kadiwa program, which aims to provide low-cost agricultural goods directly to consumers, especially low-income families.
The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to making rice more accessible amid rising food costs.
Mesa, a long-time rice vendor, said many residents were initially skeptical but later praised the rice’s taste and texture.
She added that the current price level gives consumers more value for their money.
“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 (A lot of people really bought rice because for PHP20, it’s like getting two kilos that used to cost PHP40. From PHP29 to PHP20 is a big drop and it’s still the same quality),” she said.
Mesa likened the affordability to a buy-one, take-one deal, stressing that the savings allow families to purchase other basic needs.
“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 (Because of Kadiwa ng Pangulo, it’s a huge help to the people in our barangay. With PHP20, they can buy other items from their savings … people don’t have to struggle as much because they save a lot),” she said.
Mesa said the program has brought satisfaction not just to consumers, but also to vendors like her.
“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 (It’s an immense help to the people. Even as a vendor, it makes you happy that they can access the low price because they’re happy, too. That’s why the lines are long),” she said.
The program, officially the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” or BBM Na!, was initially launched in Cebu province and in eight select Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Centers in Metro Manila on May 1 and 2, respectively.
Eligible families, or the indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities, may purchase 10 kg of rice weekly or a total 40 kg monthly.
The government is eyeing to make PHP20 per kilo rice open to all Filipinos, not just the vulnerable sectors, by 2026. (Darryl John Esguerra)
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