President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed his intent to sustain the PHP20 per kilogram rice program under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” without the contribution of the local government units (LGUs).

“Let’s go further. Ang nangyari kasi ngayon (What happened now is) we are in partnership with the LGUs. Eventually, I’m looking at a proposal na next year wala ng contribution ang LGU. Ang contribution lahat sa (that next year, there will be no LGU contribution. All contributions) will go to the national government,” Marcos said in his latest podcast aired Wednesday.

The national government is collaborating with LGUs to sustain and expand the BBM Na Program.

Marcos said that to date, the government is providing rice supply that is sufficient for 51 percent of the country’s population.

He said he is optimistic to increase the number of Filipinos who can purchase the cheaper rice.

“That’s for now and hopefully we will bring it up, up to the point that bigas for all. It will all be PHP20,” Marcos said.

“So, our production is slowly going up. Since our production is already going up, bababa ang cost of production (the cost of production will go down)… That’s why I’m so confident masabi (to say it’s) sustainable,” he added.

Marcos vowed to provide machinery to farmers and improve irrigation, in an effort to boost the rice production.

“’Pag ka gumanda na ang production side natin, maibababa natin. Wala ng subsidy (When our production side improves, we can lower it. There will be no more subsidies),” he said.

In May, Marcos said negotiations with other countries are underway to keep the price of rice more affordable until the end of his term in 2028.

The Department of Agriculture is refining the logistics framework as it expands the affordable rice initiative to better serve the beneficiaries.

The cheaper rice is now available in 123 sites nationwide, including 88 Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers, kiosks, stalls in public markets, local government units, and other agencies. (PNA)