Manila, May 18 -- A rice vendor at Mandaluyong Public Market II vouched for the quality of the PHP20-per-kilogram rice of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, saying it is comparable with more expensive varieties.

Brigida Mesa, 68, said the low-cost rice remains flavorful and well-textured, noting consistent positive feedback from buyers.

"Maganda naman po 'yung bigas kasi 'yung presyo lang naman ang bumaba pero 'yung quality nandoon pa rin (The rice is good because only the price went down, but the quality is still there)," Mesa said, as quoted in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release Sunday.

The PHP20-per-kilo rice was made available on May 13 through the Kadiwa program, which aims to provide low-cost agricultural goods ...