Residents in Manila lined up before dawn on Friday to avail themselves of a three-day government rice program offering grain at ₱20 per kilo, as long queues stretched along major streets near the distribution site.

By 7 a.m., the line had reached the corner of Quirino Avenue from the Bureau of Plant Industry office in San Andres, where the subsidized rice is being sold. Some residents said they began queueing as early as 3 a.m. to secure their allocation.

Under the Department of Agriculture’s system, qualified beneficiaries are encouraged to register online to manage crowd volume. However, despite the appointment system, many still formed long lines, prompting early-morning arrivals.

A resident identified as Aurela said beneficiaries may receive up to 30 kilos of rice per month, distributed over a three-day schedule at 10 kilos per day, depending on supply deliveries.

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay President Marcos, ibinigay niya itong ganitong [programa], ginawa sa aming mahihirap,” Aurela said, adding that she is raising a child with stage 4 cancer without a spouse.

“Saan ko kukunin yung kinakain namin sa araw-araw?” she added.

Aurela noted that rice prices in local wet markets typically start at around ₱50 per kilo, more than double the subsidized rate.

The program was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., though the Department of Agriculture said selling hours run from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Despite the initiative, some residents appealed for a more convenient distribution system.

“Pangulong BBM, dapat bigyan nyo kami ng tig-isang kaban man lang, kesa maghirap kami rito sa pila, inaabot kami ng init ng araw, maghapon natatapos,” said Belen Dela Cruz, another resident.

The ₱20-per-kilo rice program is part of the government’s efforts to ease the burden of rising food costs on low-income households.