The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Sunday that it has tripled the monthly rice allocation for vulnerable sectors under its P29-per-kilo rice program.

Eligible individuals, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigents, can now purchase up to 30 kilos of rice each month.

“We urge you to take advantage of this new policy, which responds to the calls from our financially-challenged fellow citizens for greater access to more affordable food, especially rice,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. at the Trabaho at Serbisyong Pangkalusugan sa Bagong Pilipinas event on Friday.

Laurel also confirmed that the new policy would be implemented nationwide immediately.

The DA launched the P29 program, available at KADIWA ng Pangulo stores and centers, in July last year to provide affordable rice for vulnerable sectors. Under this program, the government sells aging buffer rice stocks from the National Food Authority, assured to be safe for human consumption.

Additionally, the Department introduced the Rice-for-All program, offering rice at various prices: P43 per kilo for rice with 5 percent broken grains, P35 per kilo for rice with 25 percent broken grains, and P33 per kilo for 100 percent broken grains.