Minimum wage earners across the Philippines may soon be able to buy rice at a subsidized rate of P20 per kilo, with the Department of Agriculture (DA) eyeing a June 13 launch—just a day after Independence Day.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the target date during a market inspection in Muntinlupa City on Thursday, calling it “a little gift” for workers struggling to make ends meet.
The initiative, a joint effort between the DA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), awaits final approval from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to include low-income earners in the ongoing rollout of affordable rice. The plan initially covers 120,000 workers nationwide who will be able to buy up to 10 kilograms per month.
“These workers are part of organizations or companies that are open to being part of the pilot run,” Laurel explained, noting that the program’s scope is expected to expand.
Food Terminal Inc. has allocated a P500 million budget to support logistics, operations, and transportation for this phase.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa emphasized the program’s impact: “For minimum wage earners, since they earn minimum salary, this will help them augment their budget.”
Despite criticisms that the P20 rice program is merely “cosmetic,” President Marcos stood firm on his commitment. Speaking from Kuala Lumpur after the ASEAN Summit, he responded to skeptics: “Watch me sustain it, and then we will talk in May of 2028.”
Following the initial rollout, the DA plans to expand the program’s reach to other areas in Luzon and the Visayas between July and September.
