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In a statement yesterday, the DA said the Rice-for-All (RFA) program, P29 and P20 per kilo rice programs have reached 430,805 households.
STAR / Michael Varcas
MANILA, Philippines — Over 430,000 households have benefited from the government’s various rice programs that were rolled out last year, according to the Department of Agriculture.
In a statement yesterday, the DA said the Rice-for-All (RFA) program, P29 and P20 per kilo rice programs have reached 430,805 households.
The DA recorded P77.36 million in total sales from the 2,361.07 metric tons (MT) of rice sold to the public under the three programs.
The DA sold the most volume of rice under the P29 program that ran from July 5, 2024 until May 12 this year. Under the program, the DA sold 1,304.02 MT worth P37.81 million which benefitted around 259,821 households.
Some 161,497 households benefited from the RFA program where the DA sold 962.18 MT of rice worth P37.65 million from July 15, 2024 to May 15.
Meanwhile, the P20 per kilo rice program, which only started on May 13, has sold 94.87 MT of rice to 9,487 households as of May 23. The DA has generated P1.9 million in sales from the subsidized rice program.
On the other hand, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program has generated P2.8 billion in sales from July 2022 until May 15. The program seeks to provide the public with affordable food items while ensuring farmers have a guaranteed market for their produce.
From July 2022 until May 15, about seven million households and 2,484 farmers’ cooperatives and associations have benefited from the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.
As of May 15, there were about 664 Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites nationwide, the DA added.
Of the total figure, 282 were Kadiwa stores, 1,167 were pop-up stores, 92 were event sites, 69 were by the National Irrigation Administration, 39 were Kadiwa centers and 15 were Kadiwa ni Juan, the DA said.
Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez committed to make President Marcos’ P20 per kilo rice program permanent and to sponsor priority bills ensuring affordable rice, empowered farmers and lasting food security.
At a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Romualdez committed to personally sponsor DA’s priority reform bills, placing them at the very top of the 20th Congress’ legislative agenda.
The priority measures presented by the DA and now adopted by the Speaker include amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, restoring key regulatory powers to the National Food Authority to stabilize prices and protect local production, the Livestock Development and Competitiveness Act, the Philippine Corn Industry Development Act, the Onion Research Center Act, the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992 and amendments to the Local Government Code to strengthen agricultural extension services at the LGU level.
“These measures are critical to transforming our food system – from farm to market – and making sure no Filipino is left hungry or helpless in the face of price shocks,” Romualdez said.
He underscored that the P20/kilo rice is not just a price point – it is a national commitment that requires bold reforms in agriculture, pricing and rural development.
“Legislation is the strongest tool we have to make this program permanent,” Romualdez said.
“We will build a system where affordable rice is not a seasonal miracle, but a daily reality,” he added. – Jose Rodel Clapano
