A shipment of 35,000 bags of well-milled rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) has arrived in Cebu, marking the start of the province’s participation in the government’s P20 per kilo rice initiative, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Tuesday, May 13.
The rice, sourced from NFA’s Mindoro warehouse, is part of Cebu’s 600,000-bag order under the pilot program. The initiative aims to bring down retail rice prices through a P13-per-kilo subsidy split between the DA’s Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) and local government units (LGUs).
Cebu is one of four Visayas provinces taking part in the initial rollout, along with Bohol, Siquijor, and Southern Leyte. Together, they’ve ordered a total of 673,000 50-kilo bags of rice. Siquijor requested 40,000 bags, Southern Leyte 30,000, and Bohol 3,000. The pilot will run until December to gather data for possible expansion.
Program to Target Vulnerable Sectors
The initiative prioritizes support for vulnerable groups. In Metro Manila and nearby provinces, rice will be sold at KADIWA ng Pangulo centers to solo parents, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and 4Ps beneficiaries.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said that by May 15, 32 KADIWA centers across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal will offer the subsidized rice.
National Support and Long-Term Goal
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has earmarked ?4.5 billion from his contingency fund to support the pilot phase. He has also directed the DA to continue the initiative until the end of his term in 2028.
The rice used in the program is sourced from local farmers, supporting both affordable access and domestic agriculture. The DA emphasized that the pilot will serve as a foundation for possible nationwide implementation.
