Iloilo: The provincial government of Iloilo has earmarked a PHP19-million counterpart fund to implement the "Rice Para sa Bayan at 20 Pesos" (RPB@20) program, aiming to make rice more affordable for specific beneficiaries. This initiative is part of the larger SiPag at TiyaGa (Siguradong Pagkain, Tiyak na Kalusugan) MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas, a food and health security convergence program established under Executive Order No. 40. The program was officially launched by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Defensor stated that the province is ready to deploy the RPB@20 program to support beneficiaries of its malnutrition initiatives until December. The allocated fund, sourced from the Office of the Governor, will subsidize PHP6.50 per kilo to help reduce the rice price for undernourished families.

The provincial government is in discussions with partner agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health to finalize the program's operational aspects. Governor Defensor emphasized the importance of ensuring the program's viability and sustainability while targeting families with undernourished children, identified through previous assistance initiatives.

The 2024 Operation Timbang Plus survey revealed that Iloilo province has identified 11,776 undernourished children aged 0 to 59 months, classified as underweight, stunted, or wasted. The RPB@20 rice will be distributed through Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers, Bigasan ng Bayan outlets, and other government-operated retail stores.

Key preparations for the program include addressing procurement, logistical requirements, and establishing an identification system for beneficiaries and coupon distribution. DA-Western Visayas technical director Ma. Teresa Solis urged local government units to utilize Kadiwa stores as selling centers for the RPB@20 program. She highlighted that financial grants have been provided to qualified farmers cooperatives associations to operate these stores.