Manila: Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. on Friday welcomed the government's rollout of PHP20-per-kilo rice in the Visayas by next week, calling it a promising start to fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s campaign promise to lower rice prices. 'Nasa tamang direksiyon ang pamahalaan sa paninigurong makikinabang ang lahat ng mga kababayan natin sa murang bigas (The government is headed in the right direction by making sure that all our citizens benefit from low rice prices),' Revilla said in a press release.

According to Philippines News Agency, as the rollout begins in select areas next week, the senator urged the public to support the initiative to help expand the program's reach across the country. The program was announced after the President's closed-door meeting with 12 provincial governors from the region on Wednesday.

Initially, only indigent families can avail of the subsidized rice, with the weekly cap at 10 kilos or a total of 40 kilos per month. The program will be implemented nationwide once logistical hurdles are addressed, authorities said.