REELECTED Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday threw his full support behind the expansion of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” program, calling it a lifeline for ordinary Filipinos and a concrete sign that the government is listening and acting on the people’s needs.
“Alam nating bigas ang batayang pagkain sa bawat tahanan. Kaya ang P20 kada kilo na bigas ay hindi lang presyo—ito ay pag-asa para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Romualdez said. “The President is showing true leadership by making this vision come to life. And in Congress, we will do our part to make sure it stays.”
Romualdez, former Speaker of the 19th Congress and a staunch ally of the President, said the House of Representatives is ready to work closely with the Executive to ensure this initiative gets the funding and legislative support it needs.
As part of this commitment, Romualdez filed House Bill No. 1, or the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act, which seeks to restore and strengthen the National Food Authority’s power to stabilize rice prices, ensure adequate supply, and directly support both farmers and consumers.
He also authored House Bill No. 14, which aims to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to help farmers bounce back from typhoons, floods, and drought—protecting their income and food production for all Filipinos.
“Hindi natin kayang magtagumpay sa programang ito kung hindi natin palalakasin ang kakayahan ng ating mga magsasaka. They are the backbone of our food supply. They deserve our full support,” Romualdez emphasized.
The veteran lawmaker explained that sustainable rice affordability requires more than subsidies—it needs long-term investments in farm productivity: irrigation, modern machinery, accessible loans, and post-harvest facilities.
Before the close of the 19th Congress, Romualdez also tasked the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) to study how to institutionalize the P20-rice initiative as a national policy, so that it remains beyond any single administration.
“Every kilo of rice at P20 means a child eats well tonight, a parent sleeps with less worry, and a family gets to stretch their budget just a bit further. We cannot let that progress go to waste,” he added.
During Wednesday’s launch in Bacoor, Cavite, President Marcos distributed 500 sacks of rice—allowing 2,500 residents to each buy 10 kilos at P20 per kilo. The program prioritizes the most vulnerable sectors: senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and 4Ps beneficiaries.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the NFA replenishes each sold sack with two bags of palay bought directly from farmers—creating a dependable market for their produce and boosting their income.
The DA aims to reach 15 million beneficiaries by 2026 and 60 million Filipinos by mid-2028 through Kadiwa outlets and other local partnerships.
Romualdez assured the public that he will push for the full support of the Department of Agriculture and the NFA in the 2026 national budget, ensuring this program becomes not just a campaign success—but a permanent part of Filipino life.
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, walang maiiwan. Magtutulungan tayong lahat—ang gobyerno, ang Kongreso, at ang bawat Pilipino—para tiyaking may pagkain sa bawat hapag. Dahil sa dulo, ito ang sukatan ng tunay na malasakit,” Romualdez said.
