The long-awaited P20-per-kilo rice has finally landed on the tables of Walang Gutom Program (WGP) beneficiaries, bringing much-needed relief to food-poor families.

On Monday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to officially roll out the “Benteng Bigas” program for over 300,000 WGP beneficiaries nationwide.

The launch took place in Barangay 69, Tondo, Manila where Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra led the ceremonial signing during a Redemption Day activity.

“This means 300,000 families can now buy rice at just P20 per kilo. That’s more food on their tables using the same food credits,” Gatchalian said. “This fulfills President Marcos’ order to prioritize the most vulnerable. Our food-poor families now have better access to basic nutrition.”

How it works

Each WGP household receives P3,000 monthly in food credits through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards which are used to buy goods from DA and DSWD-accredited retailers. Half the credit is allocated to carbs like rice, 30 percent to protein, and 20 percent to fruits and vegetables.

Gatchalian noted that before the program, rice from WGP retailers cost over P50 per kilo.

“We’re excited because the beneficiaries can now take home twice the amount of food with their food credits,” he said.

The pilot rollout is also ongoing in Cebu and Caraga, with plans to expand nationwide once supplies stabilize.

“We’re starting in Tondo, Cebu and Caraga. Once the supply chain holds, we’ll roll out to all WGP-accredited retailers,” Gatchalian said.

To support the program, accredited retailers have been equipped with point-of-sale systems connected to the EBT platform. Large kiosks will also be installed at redemption sites for added transparency.