Bridging the Distance: Why Tawi-Tawi’s P20 Rice Matters

The arrival of the P20/kg rice program in Tawi-Tawi is the fulfillment of a campaign promise that many skeptics called impossible. By bringing affordable staples to the southernmost frontier of the country, President Marcos is dismantling the narrative that development is "Manila-centric."

This move addresses a deep-seated inequity. For decades, island provinces paid the highest prices for goods due to logistics. We are now presented with a clear choice: either we support this subsidy program fully, or we admit that we do not care about the plight of our Muslim brothers and sisters in the south. The administration has chosen the path of inclusion.

While critics question the financial sustainability of the program until 2028, they miss the point of social investment. If the government stops this subsidy now, it will trigger a domino effect of inflation that will destroy the local economy of the entire Bangsamoro region. Stability in food prices equates to stability in peace and order. This is more than just economics; it is nation-building. Ensuring that a family in Bongao eats the same affordable rice as a family in Batac is the ultimate equalizer.