Rice sold at P20 per kilo to be available in the Visayas soon

Local

A ONCE-SKEPTICAL campaign promise is now set to roll out in the Visayas, with rice priced at P20 per kilo, beginning next week.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will launch the pilot phase of his “P20 per kilo” rice initiative in Regions 6, 7, and 8 on May 1, providing subsidized rice through local government units (LGUs).

On Wednesday, April 23, Marcos met with 12 governors from the regions at the Cebu Provincial Capitol to finalize the implementation details of the program.

The plan will allow families to purchase rice at P20 per kilo through their LGUs.

The meeting was also attended by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr.

“The President has given the directive for this program, which will run initially until December and is planned to be sustained until 2028,” said Laurel, who announced the start of the pilot implementation during a media briefing after the meeting.

The pilot program will begin in Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas. Laurel said the Department of Agriculture (DA) selected the regions because they have available rice stocks and a high demand for food support.

Support of governors

Marcos was welcomed in Cebu by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, along with Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava, Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla, and Samar Board Member Fe Tan Arcales.

Also present were Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, Biliran Governor Gerard Roger Espina, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, and Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent Villa.

Under the program, families may buy up to 10 kilos of rice per week at P20 per kilo. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the rice will be locally sourced, with the national and local governments covering the P13 price gap from the current market rate.

“The DA team has been working day and night on how to bring this to reality. Maraming steps kailangan para mangyari to,” Laurel said.

He explained that the DA considered multiple distribution models before approving the 10-kilogram-per-week option.

Many supply

Laurel Jr. said the DA needs to clear out overcrowded warehouses to make room for new stocks, as many are already full of rice and palay.

He noted that the government is only able to proceed with the program now because global rice and fuel prices have gone down.

Laurel also shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had instructed the DA to expand the program beyond its original scope. Initially planned to run only until December, possibly extending to February, the program is now being developed as a long-term initiative set to continue until 2028.

2022 election promise

In a press conference after the meeting, Garcia said the President is serious about delivering on his word.

“A campaign promise will be fulfilled,” she said.

Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla confirmed that the program will be expanded nationwide, calling it a commendable effort aimed at achieving the P20 per kilo target. He added that the national government plans to fully shoulder the cost of the subsidy starting next year.

Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent Villa expressed support for the initiative, describing it as a necessary program that could help reduce inflation, given rice’s significant role in driving price increases.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia highlighted that Cebu Province had already launched a similar program with its “Sugbo Merkadong Barato” in November 2023.

Under this initiative, the Capitol funded the program, allowing municipalities and component cities to sell rice at P20 per kilo to indigent residents.

Garcia emphasized that the nationwide rollout would ensure the program reaches far beyond Cebu.

The P20-per-kilo rice promise was a central part of President Marcos’ campaign, gaining significant attention in 2022 as a symbol of his commitment to tackling food insecurity and reducing living costs.(MyTVCebu)