DSWD launches P20/kg rice program for 'Walang Gutom' beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of the government's 'Walang Gutom' program can now purchase subsidized P20 per kilogram rice using an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card at accredited retailers.

On Monday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led a food redemption activity in Tondo, Manila, launching the 'Benteng Bigas, Meron na sa WGP' program.

Accredited suppliers and retailers will sell P20 rice to WGP beneficiaries during redemption days using their EBT cards loaded with P3,000 per month. Beneficiaries can now buy more than double the amount of carbohydrates with their food credits, making them very excited about this development.

The DSWD aims for 750,000 food-poor Filipinos to be enrolled in the WGP by 2028 and currently has at least 300,000 beneficiaries. The program is being piloted in areas like Tondo, Cebu, and Caraga with plans to expand nationwide as supply chain stabilizes.

Minimum wage earners can also buy the P20 kilo rice without an EBT card, with a current limit of 10 kilos per person but aiming for more in future months.