The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to expand the pilot implementation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s flagship P20 per kilo rice program, with a goal of reaching 14 million Filipinos by September.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa and National Food Authority Administrator Larry Lacson provided updates on the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” initiative, emphasizing the phased nationwide rollout of the affordable rice program under the KADIWA ng Pangulo network.

“This program was initially launched on 1 May but was temporarily paused due to the Commission on Elections’ restrictions,” De Mesa explained.

“Right after the elections on 13 May, we resumed the rollout across 12 KADIWA sites. By 15 May, 20 more public markets and KADIWA locations were added. We are now operating in 34 locations.”

He added that the second phase, set to begin in July, will focus on poverty-stricken areas in Mindanao, including Zamboanga del Norte, where poverty incidence is reported at 37.7%. Other areas on the list include Basilan, Cotabato City, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Sorsogon.

The third phase, launching in September, will expand to Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Catanduanes, Agusan del Sur, Sarangani, and Dinagat Islands.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson assured the public of sufficient rice stocks to support the expanded rollout.

“Our current buffer stock stands at 409,000 metric tons of milled rice, equivalent to 1.187 million bags. Almost 1.4 million bags are already milled, with the rest in palay form and currently being processed,” Lacson said.

“At this rate, our supply is projected to last through December 2025, possibly longer depending on the wet season harvest, which typically contributes 60% of annual yield.”

The P20 rice is made available through KADIWA centers, where vulnerable sectors – including indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents – are eligible to purchase up to 30 kilos per household.

The rice is subsidized by the government through the Food Terminal Inc. For programs co-funded by local government units (LGUs), eligibility and distribution are determined by the LGUs themselves.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier announced that the DA is preparing to sustain the program until the end of President Marcos’ term in June 2028, aiming to benefit up to 60 million Filipinos.