P20 Rice Programme Launches in Bacoor, Cavite

When people chat about Cavite, the talk usually centres on quick weekend breaks, coastal eats in Kawit, or food trips in Tagaytay. This week, though, a busy public market in Bacoor made headlines for a different reason: P20 per kilo rice. Yes, that price is correct.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr launched the ₱20 rice programme at Zapote Public Market, turning an ordinary weekday morning into a national talking point.

So what does this mean for visitors, and why should it matter on your next Cavite adventure?

A historic launch in a familiar travel spot

On 2 July 2025, locals filled Zapote Market to witness the first Luzon roll‑out of the affordable rice programme. The initiative aims to sell rice at just ₱20 per kilo for selected sectors, fulfilling one of Marcos’s campaign pledges.

If open‑air markets are on your Cavite itinerary, Zapote is more than a place to grab fresh ingredients. It is now a symbol of greater food access for people who need it most.

Who can avail of the ₱20 rice?

Image credit: Bongbong Marcos | official FB page

The programme starts with specific groups:

• 4Ps beneficiaries

• Senior citizens

• Persons with disabilities

• Solo parents

Each qualified shopper may buy five to ten kilos at the subsidised price. During the Bacoor launch, five hundred sacks were available, enough to give two thousand five hundred beneficiaries ten kilos each.

How does the programme work?

Image credit: Bongbong Marcos | official FB page

Rice is sold through KADIWA ng Pangulo outlets, a government project that links farmers directly with communities. Every sack purchased replaces two bags of palay that the National Food Authority buys from growers. The cycle supports consumers with lower prices and guarantees farmers a steady market.

When you pass a KADIWA stall on your Cavite road trip, you are seeing a community‑driven system in motion, not merely another grocery run.

Going beyond Cavite

Cavite is only one stop. The programme began in the Visayas and heads to Mindanao in July 2025. President Marcos aims to keep it running until June 2028, reaching about fifteen million households, which could cover roughly sixty million Filipinos.

Travelling to other regions soon? Keep an eye out for new KADIWA outlets. You might spot the same queues and buzz in markets across the country.

Why travellers should take note

Local travel is more than beaches and cafés. It is also about understanding how towns thrive. Watching an affordable rice scheme in action adds depth to any journey. Markets like Bacoor reveal stories of resilience, accessibility, and shared effort that rarely make it into guidebooks.

Final thoughts

The ₱20 per kilo rice programme is still in its early days, and nationwide coverage will take time. Cavite earned the first Luzon launch because of its strategic location and vibrant community.

If your plans take you through Bacoor, stop by a KADIWA outlet or chat with vendors about how the change is shaping their routines. Your travel story will gain a richer perspective, and you will see first‑hand how a simple market initiative can make a real difference.