Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced his intention to maintain the PHP20 per kilogram rice program, known as 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na', without relying on contributions from local government units (LGUs). The President made this announcement during his latest podcast, emphasizing a shift towards national government funding for the initiative.

According to Philippines News Agency, the national government is currently working in collaboration with LGUs to sustain and expand the BBM Na Program. President Marcos expressed his confidence in the program's sustainability, citing that the government is already providing rice supply sufficient for 51 percent of the country's population. He hopes to increase the availability of affordable rice, aiming to reach a point where PHP20 rice is accessible to all Filipinos.

Marcos highlighted ongoing improvements in rice production, which he believes will lead to a reduction in production costs. He reassured that as production efficiency increases, the need for subsidies will diminish. The President also committed to supporting farmers by providing machinery and enhancing irrigation systems to further boost rice production.

In addition, Marcos mentioned ongoing negotiations with other countries to ensure that rice prices remain affordable, with a goal of maintaining this affordability until the end of his term in 2028. The Department of Agriculture is also working on refining the logistics framework to expand the initiative's reach and better serve its beneficiaries.

The affordable rice initiative has already been implemented at 123 sites nationwide, including 88 Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers and various kiosks, stalls, public markets, and local government units, making the cheaper rice accessible to a wider population.