Baricuatro to continue controversial P20-per-kilo rice program

Local

DESPITE her strong stance against the P20-per-kilo rice program during the campaign period, Cebu Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro has committed to continuing the initiative, affirming her support for its expansion to all sectors in the province.

In an interview after her oathtaking on Thursday, May 22, Baricuatro said she now backs the program’s continuation but emphasized that its implementation would depend on available funds.

“I want everyone to have access to the P20-per-kilo rice,” she said, underscoring her goal of making affordable food accessible to all, not just to vulnerable groups. “It should not be selective,” she added.

Baricuatro also said food security remains one of her administration’s priorities, and her team is studying ways to sustain the initiative for the long term.

The program, launched in Cebu by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on May 1, 2025, was temporarily suspended due to the May 12 midterm elections but resumed immediately after.

It forms part of the Marcos administration’s national effort to provide affordable rice amid a declared food security emergency.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier linked the initiative to the “Bente Bigas Meron Na” pilot program. Under this scheme, rice originally priced at P33 per kilo is subsidized by P13.

The subsidy is split equally between local government units (LGUs) and the National Government until December 2025, bringing the price down to P20 per kilo.

However, starting 2026, the National Government will shoulder the full subsidy.

Baricuatro’s shift in stance comes as the National Food Authority (NFA) confirmed the arrival of over 60,000 sacks of rice in Cebu from various regions, including 35,000 from Region 4, 20,000 from Region 6, and 13,600 from Regions 8, 9, and 10.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, who inspected the delivery on May 23, said the rice stocks would be used not only for the P20-rice program but also for the needs of provincial jails and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“I am here to ensure that the quality is as reported by the source region,” Lacson said, noting that all rice undergoes stringent quality control, including cooking tests and fumigation, before distribution.

“Regular activity ang fumigation just to make sure patay ang insekto,” he added.

Lacson clarified that the rice varies in grain size and color but meets all safety standards.

The NFA implements an inclusive procurement policy by purchasing all types of rice harvested by farmers, regardless of variety or quality.

As of May, Central Visayas has received a total of 68,600 sacks of rice. Several towns in Cebu have already made withdrawals, including Pinamungajan (200 sacks), Medellin (79), Catmon (130), Tabogon (325), Talisay (400), and San Fernando (100).

According to Lacson, the current national rice buffer stock stands at 419,000 metric tons, which is the highest level since 2020.

This supply is equivalent to 10.8 days of national consumption in the absence of any new deliveries.

Lacson estimated that the current stock translates to more than 8.3 million sacks of rice nationwide.

He also assured the public that the supply is sustainable through the end of 2025 and likely into the early months of 2026, with preparations already underway to replenish stocks for the 2026 harvest season.(MyTVCebu)