Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have introduced the 'Benteng Bigas, Meron na sa WGP' program to provide PHP20 per kilogram rice to over 300,000 beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra signed a memorandum of understanding to mark the initiative's launch during the WGP beneficiaries' Redemption Day at Barangay 69 in Tondo, Manila. The agreement reinforces the collaborative effort to meet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure vulnerable populations have access to affordable staple foods.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of the initiative, highlighting the President's instruction to prioritize food security for the country's most disadvantaged households. He addressed around 100 WGP beneficiaries, explaining that the program targets the food-poor, those who struggle most to afford basic food items.
Under the WGP, each beneficiary household receives PHP3,000 in monthly food credits via electronic benefit transfer cards. These credits can be spent on healthy food items from accredited retailers, with allocations for carbohydrates like rice and sweet potatoes, proteins, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
Before the program's rollout, rice prices at WGP-accredited retailers exceeded PHP50 per kg. Gatchalian expressed satisfaction that beneficiaries are excited about maximizing their food credits to purchase more carbohydrates, effectively doubling their previous purchasing power.
The 'Benteng Bigas Meron Na!' initiative is being piloted in Tondo and will be replicated in Cebu province and the Caraga region, with plans for nationwide expansion as the supply chain becomes more stable. PHP20/kg rice will be available through DA-accredited suppliers and retailers, including Kadiwa outlets, participating in WGP food redemption days.
For smooth implementation, all WGP-accredited retailers are equipped with point-of-sale devices linked to the EBT system, and kiosks will be set up at redemption sites to ensure transparency. The DSWD plans to procure over 4,700 kiosk units for distribution across barangay sites.
WGP beneficiaries have expressed gratitude to President Marcos for the affordable rice. Shierly Castillo, a beneficiary, noted that the subsidized rice significantly helps her family, especially given her unstable employment situation. Another beneficiary, Alfredo Morales, shared similar sentiments, acknowledging the program's relief for poor Filipinos.
The WGP, launched in 2023 and institutionalized in 2024 under Executive Order 44, is a key anti-hunger program aligned with the Marcos administration's goal to combat food insecurity. It currently supports 300,000 low-income households, aiming to reach 750,000 beneficiaries by 2028.
