Marcos Optimistic on P20 Rice Subsidy Reduction
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed confidence that the government can gradually reduce its subsidy for the P20 per kilo rice program, known as “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” This optimism stems from the steady improvement in agricultural productivity across the country.
In the latest episode of the PBBM Podcast titled “Sa Likod ng Sona,” Marcos explained that as rice production rises, the need to subsidize the program will steadily decline. “It should come… As our production improves, that will go down and down,” he said, reflecting hope for a more self-sustaining rice market in the near future.
Expanding Coverage Despite Decreasing Subsidy Needs
The President emphasized that the government has reached a point where it can comfortably support the subsidy. “We’ve already reached the point where we can say, ‘We can do this. We can afford it. We can afford the subsidy,’” Marcos added.
Interestingly, he noted that as subsidies decrease, the program’s reach will actually grow. As of June, the initiative was accessible in 87 locations nationwide, offering affordable rice through Kadiwa outlets and local government units.
The Department of Agriculture initially launched this program on May 1, but it had to pause temporarily due to a public spending ban before the midterm elections. Despite this, Marcos pledged unwavering support for the program until the end of his term, addressing critics who doubted its long-term sustainability.
Not Driven by Survey Numbers
Marcos also clarified that recent government projects, including the zero-balance billing in public hospitals, discounted train fares, and the P20 per kilo rice program, are not strategies to boost approval ratings.
“Hindi ganoon ang approach namin. We don’t work according to surveys, not really,” he said firmly. Instead, these initiatives aim to genuinely improve the daily lives of Filipinos.
Supporting this stance, a recent Tugon ng Masa survey showed Marcos’ trust rating rising to 64 percent from 60 percent, and his performance rating increasing to 62 percent from 59 percent. These are the highest marks among top government officials surveyed.
For more news and updates on government rice subsidy programs, visit Filipinokami.com.
