00:00Government's cheap rice program continues to expand its nationwide coverage.
00:05This time, the country's most coveted staple grain made its debut in densely populated Bacooros City
00:11where the president was gladly received by residents and beneficiaries with first dibs to the cheap rice as our Kenneth Paciente reports.
00:21Juliet usually buys 50 peso rice for their daily needs, but she said it's a burden on their budget.
00:27Sa mahal po ng mga bilihin ngayon, halos sa isang araw gumagasos kami ng 300, minsan 400.
00:37Ano lang po yun, bigas, ulam, at nabao po ng mga bata.
00:42That's why she went early to Zapote Public Market in Bacoorcavite.
00:46The Benteng Bigas Meron na program was launched today in the city, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
00:51As early as morning, target beneficiaries such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities,
00:57four-piece beneficiaries, and solo parents lined up for the event.
01:00The president himself distributed rice to the beneficiaries.
01:03Alinsunod ito sa pangako ng Pangulo na palawakin pa ang sakop ng 20 pesos rice program ng administrasyon.
01:11DI ng Pangulo, hangad ng gobyerno na magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain sa hapagkainan ng bawat Pilipino.
01:18This is a big help for them, including Juliet.
01:2010 kilos, 200 only. Napakalaking tipid.
01:24So magagamit mo yung ibang budget mo sa ibang budget?
01:26Opo, pambili ng mga ulam, ganon, pamasahin ng mga bata, bawon. Malaking bagay po na itulong sa amin ito.
01:34According to the Department of Agriculture, 5,000 sacks of locally sourced rice were allocated for the program's rollout in Bacoor,
01:41just about enough to benefit roughly 2,500 residents.
01:44This is the 94th distribution site for the Benteng Bigas Meron na program since it was launched in May.
01:49A testament to the administration's goal to stabilize rice prices.
01:54Titignan po natin sa mga susunod na araw kung ano oras po natin siya bubuksan.
01:59Siguro pwedeng daily tapos pero may oras lang.
02:03Pero definitely makakaasa po sila na gagawin po natin regular ito simula ngayong araw.
02:07The government is also finalizing plans to expand the program to other areas and sectors including farmers.
02:13But definitely we're working on expanding it po talaga pagdating po ng 2026.
02:19Ay lahat na po yan ay pwede natin po mabigyan na ating P20.
02:23As the program enters phase 2 this month, it aims to cover neighboring provinces of Metro Manila including Region 4A and other LGUs in Visayas and Mindanao.
02:32According to DA data from May 13 to June 30, over 100,000 families from Luzon and Visayas were able to buy around 804,000 kilos of rice under the program.
02:44Kenneth Paciente from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
