Beneficiaries of the national government’s anti-hunger program will soon be able to buy rice at P20 per kilogram, a senior official announced Sunday.

The “Benteng Bigas, Meron na sa WGP” initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide affordable rice to food-poor and vulnerable groups, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The program will launch Monday during a food redemption event at Morsac Basketball Court, Barangay 69, in Tondo, Manila.

“Starting Monday, our beneficiaries can buy P20 per kilo of rice from accredited retailers and Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets. This is a big help to expand their ability to buy nutritious and sufficient food for the whole family,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao.

The initial group of beneficiaries includes solo parents, senior citizens and people with disabilities enrolled in the DSWD’s Walang Gutom Program (WGP). The subsidized rice will be available through Department of Agriculture-accredited suppliers and retailers, including Kadiwa outlets, participating in WGP food redemption days.

Under the WGP, beneficiaries receive P3,000 in monthly food credits via electronic benefit transfer cards. These credits can be used to purchase nutritious food during scheduled redemption days, after beneficiaries attend mandatory nutrition education sessions.

Dumlao said the addition of P20 rice aims to increase the value of beneficiaries’ food credits while strengthening food security.

“This coordination with the DA is a big boost to our efforts to fight hunger and promote proper nutrition. Through this initiative, our beneficiaries can now access affordable rice while continuing to buy healthy food for their families,” Dumlao said.