The Department of Agriculture (DA) reaffirmed its commitment to the ₱20 per kilogram rice program for smallholder farmers, pushing forward with its nationwide expansion despite criticism that it is a stop-gap, short-term measure.
The DA said the program will officially launch on August 13, allowing farmers tilling three hectares or less and registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to buy up to 10 kilograms of rice per month at a subsidized rate of ₱20 per kg. Alternatively, they may claim a 50-kg sack once per month between August and December.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. defended the initiative, citing its direct benefit to millions of farming households. “We’re offering affordable food to those who need it most… We’re simply trying to make life a little less difficult for the people who feed this country,” he said.
The DA noted that early beneficiaries include rice farmers in Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, and that the RSBSA has listed 2.9 million rice farmers nationwide. The agency is also studying logistics to eventually include 2.8 million fisherfolk in the program.
Critics have labeled the initiative a band-aid solution that overlooks structural reforms. Tiu Laurel acknowledged the concerns but stressed that longer-term solutions are underway, including proposed rice import tax hikes and import suspension. However, he lamented the difficulty of implementing policy without accurate and timely agricultural data, which he said suffered from the loss of regulatory powers once held by the National Food Authority (NFA).
“Criticism without constructive alternatives only slows us down. If you truly care about the sector, offer ideas. Help us build,” the DA chief added.
The program provides much-needed relief as market prices for well-milled rice remain between ₱37 and ₱52 per kgin Metro Manila public markets, significantly higher than the subsidized rate. Premium and special varieties range from ₱42 to ₱65 per kg, making the ₱20 program a welcome reprieve for vulnerable sectors.
The initiative forms part of the administration’s broader push for food security and social protection, as the DA balances immediate relief efforts with structural reform.
