By Giselle P. Jordan

THE government’s P20-per-kilogram rice initiative or the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! (BBM Na!) program will be centerpiece of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Expo 2025 on Nov. 28 to 30, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced.

The event, organized with the Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) and other national agencies, is the KNP’s second edition.

The P20/kg rice is available to persons with disability, senior citizens, solo parents, indigents, farmers, farm workers, fisherfolk, minimum-wage earners, and transport workers.

Visitors will also have a closer look at the operational model and milestones of the program, as well as its role in supporting food and nutrition security in the country.

The event will likewise showcase the expanded Kadiwa network, which includes food hubs, centers, stores, model trucks, and karts. The expansion supports the stabilization of local supply chains to provide citizens with greater access to essential commodities.

Scheduled on Nov. 29 is an Agribusiness Investment Forum which will discuss value-chain opportunities, market trends, and investment prospects in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Also to be featured are success stories in improving rural productivity, farmer income, food access, and economic resilience. The DA hopes this would encourage more participation and investment in the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

“This is not just a market — this is a governance instrument that aligns policy, community empowerment, and agrifood systems development,” said DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra.

“Through the P20 rice initiative and the broader Kadiwa interventions, we’re institutionalizing systems that uplift farmers and keep nutritious, affordable food within reach of Filipino families,” she noted.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the expo reflects the government’s commitment to turning food security into reality.

“By strengthening producer–consumer linkages and cutting supply-chain inefficiencies, we are building a more equitable and sustainable food system,” he said. “We will continue investing in programs that expand market access, stabilize prices, and support the hardworking people who power our agricultural economy.”

Consumers, researchers, development partners, and stakeholders are expected to visit the expo, the DA said.

Published Date: November 24, 2025