The promised P20 per kilo of rice, dubbed as “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” and a campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr,. has already reached 12-million beneficiaries across the country.

According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., the government’s flagship rice project continues to expand, making the lowest-priced rice staple now available in around 800 participating outlets nationwide.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) targets to have 1,500 outlets by the end of the year to bring affordable, quality rice closer to Filipino families in more communities while strengthening support for local farmers and fisherfolk, Secretary Tiu Laurel said.

Lower income target

“Our target are those in the lower income bracket, particularly PWDs, 4Ps, single parents and seniors; we are targeting some 15 million households,” Tiu Laurel said.

The program is currently distributing around 15,000 to 20,000 metric tons of P20 rice every month, with the DA aiming to double this to 40,000 metric tons monthly by December to ensure that more Filipino families can access affordable staple food amid global and local challenges.

Despite the effects of El Niño, the DA assured the public that the country’s food supply remains stable, emphasizing that there is no reason for concern as the government continues to implement measures to secure the nation’s food needs.

“We have sufficient supply; there’s no cause for alarm. We are food secure,” assured the DA chief.

Reliable market for local palay

Beyond making rice more affordable, the initiative also creates a reliable market for locally produced palay, allowing farmers to earn better while ensuring consumers benefit from lower food costs.