Quezon City: The government will start offering the PHP20 per kilogram rice at the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) Kadiwa Center along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on May 2.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced in a press briefing in Malaca±ang on Monday that the initiative follows the Department of Agriculture's previous announcement regarding the initial rollout of the PHP20/kg rice in Cebu on May 1. This program is one of the campaign promises of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and aims to provide affordable rice to the public.
Under the program, each family will be allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms per week, totaling 40 kilograms every month. The pilot rollout will commence in the Visayas region, following President Marcos' meeting with the region's 12 governors at the Cebu Provincial Capitol last week.
The government has committed to sourcing funds and addressing logistical challenges to ensure the PHP20/kg rice becomes available nationwide. Meanwhile, Castro mentioned that the National Food Authority (NFA) has increased its rice buffer stock as per the President's directive to strengthen the agency's acquisition of palay from local farmers.
As of April 24, the NFA holds 10.1 million sacks of palay and 1.2 million sacks of rice, which is sufficient for ten days of national consumption and marks the highest inventory level since 2020. NFA Administrator Larry Lacson revealed that PHP12 billion has been allocated for the ongoing purchase of palay during this year's summer harvest season.
Castro stated, "Ang tuluy-tuloy na pagbili ng palay ay hindi lamang para sa mga magsasaka kung hindi para rin sa mga pagbibigay ng mas abot-kayang bigas sa mamamayan," emphasizing the dual benefit of supporting farmers and providing affordable rice to the public.
