The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to significantly expand the government’s ₱20-per-kilo rice program, with Pangasinan slated for a province-wide rollout beginning January, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. announced. The expansion supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda, targeting coverage of 15 million households nationwide by the end of 2026.
Known as “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, the flagship program seeks to tame food inflation, improve access to affordable rice, and stabilize farmgate prices for palay. Originally focused on the most vulnerable sectors, the initiative is now broadening its reach to include more Filipino families.
For 2026, the government has earmarked ₱23 billion to sustain the ₱20 rice subsidy. The required budget may be reduced should pending legislation be passed granting the National Food Authority (NFA) expanded powers to better manage rice supply and demand.
“We began with the most vulnerable—4Ps beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, single parents, and senior citizens,” Tiu Laurel said. “We then expanded to include TODA members, farmers, fisherfolk, minimum-wage earners, teachers, and non-teaching staff. Millions have already benefited, and by 2026, we aim to serve 15 million households—around 60 million Filipinos.”
Pangasinan will serve as the pilot for the program’s next phase, marking a shift from limited distribution to full provincial coverage. Once launched, all qualified middle- and lower-income households in the province will be able to buy rice at ₱20 per kilo.
“This is a full provincial rollout,” Tiu Laurel said. “By January, all eligible households in Pangasinan should have access. This is a major expansion.”
After Pangasinan, the DA plans to roll out the program in three cities across the Visayas and Mindanao—including Davao City—and six additional provinces from January to February. These areas were selected based on NFA stock availability and logistical readiness. The initial expansion phase is expected to cover about 780,000 households, or roughly 3.2 million Filipinos.
To ensure smooth implementation, the DA will publish a weekly rollout schedule for the entire year. Purchase limits will remain in place to manage supply: senior citizens may buy up to 30 kilos per month, while other beneficiaries are capped at 10 kilos.
Tiu Laurel acknowledged challenges related to supply, transport, and distribution—especially as the program scales up. Most rice will be sourced from NFA stocks, requiring added logistics support, coordination with local governments, and strict accountability measures, particularly in remote and island communities.
Beneficiaries will register through QR codes to streamline distribution and auditing. “Ultimately, we are accountable to the Commission on Audit,” he said.
Distribution will utilize the existing 740 Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets, public markets, and LGU-run stores, with a goal of at least one access point per municipality. The government plans to expand Kadiwa outlets to 3,000 by 2028.
“This is a whole-of-government effort,” Tiu Laurel said, citing partnerships with LGUs, the Department of Education, and the Department of Labor and Employment. “This is the President’s promise—and we are delivering.”
— NPO News Team | DAPO-PR
