The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced that its flagship P20-per-kilo rice program is rolling out to more areas, aiming to ease the burden of food costs for Filipino households.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. confirmed that starting Wednesday, affordable rice will be made available to farmers in Laoag City (Ilocos Norte), Roxas City (Capiz), Baloy in Cagayan de Oro City (Misamis Oriental), and San Jose (Occidental Mindoro).
The initiative forms part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment during his State of the Nation Address in July, where he vowed that rice would soon be sold at P20 a kilo in KADIWA stores nationwide. The program is supported by a P113-billion allocation from the government, with another P10 billion earmarked for 2026.
Laurel added that the initiative is set to grow further, targeting 15 million households by next year. The program initially covered vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, solo parents, senior citizens, and 4Ps beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro Tiu said the program would soon extend to fishermen and fish port workers. Its first rollout for fisherfolk is expected in Lucena City (Quezon), Sual (Pangasinan), and Navotas.
Officials emphasized that the expansion underscores the government’s push to make basic food staples more accessible while strengthening support for the country’s farmers and fisherfolk.
