The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced a program to sell rice at P20 per kilogram — starting in the Visayas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Laurel Jr. made the announcement after a closed-door meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and 12 Visayas governors at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, calling the initiative a “pilot run” for a larger national rollout.

“Right now, we’re launching it here because more people are in need in these regions,” Laurel said. “But of course, the eventual intention of this program — once we sort out all the logistical issues and see how to operate, launch, and manage it — is to implement it nationwide.”

The DA said the program will initially allow families to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice per week — equivalent to 40 kg per month — at the subsidized price.

Two distribution templates were discussed: a 5 kg-per-week and a 10 kg-per-week model, with the latter approved for implementation.

“This will be the first time we’re relaunching this kind of effort under the Marcos administration,” Laurel said, noting the availability of surplus rice stocks in the Visayas, particularly in Iloilo. “Frankly speaking, the need is greater here — and we also have available stocks here, especially in Iloilo, so it makes sense to release stocks here as well.”

He added that part of the DA’s logistical challenge is moving out rice and palay from crowded government warehouses.

“Another factor is that the DA’s warehouses are overflowing with rice and palay,” he said. “We really need to move and dispose of the stocks."

Until 2028
Originally envisioned as a short-term subsidy through December 2025, the President has directed the DA to reframe the program as a long-term initiative.

“The President wants this to continue until 2028,” Laurel said. “This program was originally scheduled only until December, maybe extendable to February — but now he wants the DA to formulate a plan that makes this sustainable.”

Laurel explained that global market conditions have finally allowed the government to launch the initiative. Last year, global rice prices hit a 15-year high, making subsidies unviable. But recent declines in international pricing have made the project more feasible.

“Now that prices have gone down, the subsidy is lighter and more doable," he said.