MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. announced on Wednesday that the price of rice under the government’s Rice-for-All program will be reduced to P42 per kilo, down from P43, effective Thursday, 14 November. This price cut follows the recent reduction in tariffs on imported rice and is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ease the burden of rising food prices for Filipino consumers.
In a statement, Secretary Tiu Laurel explained that the price reduction reflects the combined impact of the tariff cut and a drop in global rice prices. However, he noted that the reduction would have been larger had it not been for the depreciation of the Philippine peso, which has weakened to P58 to a U.S. dollar from P48 at the start of the year.
“This price reduction for the Rice-for-All program reflects the combined impact of the reduction in tariff and in global rice prices. The reduction would have been bigger if not for the impact of the peso’s depreciation,” said Tiu Laurel.
The Rice-for-All program, which is open to all consumers without any purchase limits, aims to provide affordable rice to the general public. In contrast, the P29 per kilo rice available to vulnerable sectors—such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigents—remains unchanged. Those eligible for the special program can buy a maximum of 10 kilos per month.
The price cut is a direct result of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to slash the tariff on imported rice to 15 percent from 35 percent, effective July this year. The move was intended to lower the cost of rice, which is a staple food for millions of Filipinos. For the average consumer, rice accounts for about 10 percent of expenses, with the bottom 30 percent of income households—many of whom are farmers and fisherfolk—spending as much as 20 percent of their income on rice.
Looking ahead, Tiu Laurel indicated that further price reductions under the Rice-for-All program may be possible, depending on future shifts in global rice prices and the peso-dollar exchange rate.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly,” he added.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has emphasized that the Rice-for-All program is part of broader efforts to address food inflation and ensure stable, affordable prices for the country’s most essential food items.
