The Department of Agriculture (DA) has intensified the rollout of its P20 “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” Rice Project in Baguio City, bringing affordable rice directly to hundreds of families during the vibrant celebration of the Panagbenga Festival.
In a special distribution held in front of Baguio City Hall, 500 households from vulnerable sectors received access to rice priced at just P20 per kilo. Beneficiaries included senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, indigent families, minimum wage earners, transport group members, teachers, and farmers.
The P20 Rice Project is a flagship food security program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aimed at ensuring that affordable, quality rice remains within reach of Filipino families, particularly those most in need.
Agriculture assistant secretary Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra stressed that the initiative is a clear directive from the President and forms part of a broader, long-term strategy to strengthen national food security, protect consumers, and support local farmers. She emphasized that the program will continue throughout the administration, backed by strong coordination between the national government and local government units.
The Baguio City government pledged full support for the initiative. Vice mayor Faustino A. Olowan said the city remains committed to working closely with the DA to guarantee orderly and efficient distribution of affordable rice to constituents.
To sustain access, the National Food Authority warehouse in Loakan continues to operate as a regular P20 rice outlet under the management of Food Terminal Incorporated. The outlet serves qualified beneficiaries from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Further expanding the program’s reach, the DA will also tap the KADIWA ng Pangulo Store located at the Slaughterhouse Compound in Sto. Niño, Baguio City. The additional outlet is expected to decongest distribution points and allow more eligible residents to benefit from the subsidized rice.
Under program guidelines, beneficiaries from vulnerable sectors may purchase up to 30 kilograms of rice per month, while other eligible groups may buy up to 10 kilograms monthly.
As of February 27, 2026, the Loakan outlet has already served more than 18,000 qualified households, underscoring the strong demand and positive response to the initiative. Another rollout is set on March 3, 2026, with 500 more households expected to benefit as the DA continues to expand the program’s reach in the Summer Capital.
