President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement the sale of ₱20 per kilo rice as a long-term program, targeting its continuation until 2028.
This move was confirmed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who said the initial rollout was originally planned only until December 2025 or possibly February next year.
Following a meeting with the President, the DA decided to launch the program’s pilot implementation in the Visayas, where demand for affordable rice is highest.
Under the pilot phase, qualified Visayas residents may purchase up to 10 kilos of low-cost rice per week, totaling 40 kilos per month.
Secretary Laurel emphasized that once the pilot is evaluated, the program will be expanded nationwide.
He also assured the public that there is sufficient rice stock in the Visayas region, including key areas such as Iloilo City.
According to the DA, around 358,000 metric tons of rice are currently stored in various warehouses, and they plan to release the stocks amid the ongoing harvest season.
The program aims to support food security and ease the burden of rising commodity prices on Filipino families, especially those in vulnerable communities.