MANILA, May 14 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday it aims to make the PHP20 per kilogram of rice available in 42 Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) centers and stores in Luzon this May.

DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said 32 of the 42 KNP centers and stores are part of the first phase of the "Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na" program that was launched in Metro Manila and nearby provinces on May 13.

"Ito pong first phase natin, 32. Mayroon po tayong actually na 42 na nagbebenta ng ating (For our first phase, it's 32. We actually have 42 selling our) previously P29," she said in an interview, referring to the sale of aging but quality stocks of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) worth PHP29 per kg for the vulnerable...