Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will launch the P20 Rice Project under the KADIWA ng Pangulo program on 2 May 2025. The initiative, aimed at reducing rice prices for vulnerable communities, will offer high-quality rice at P20 per kilogram, available at KADIWA centers and through local government units (LGUs).
Initially, rice sales at KADIWA centers will be limited to indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities, who can purchase up to 30 kilos per month. Participating LGUs may extend the sale to all households, contingent on their contribution to the subsidy. The rice will be sourced from the National Food Authority (NFA) via Food Terminal Inc.
This move builds on the “Bente Bigas Mo” pilot program, which has been selling subsidized NFA rice at P33 per kilo in select LGUs, such as San Juan City and Camarines Sur, in response to the national food security emergency. The new initiative is expected to help alleviate the financial burden on Filipino families while supporting local farmers by encouraging the purchase of more palay, boosting their incomes.
The DA, with approval from the Commission on Elections, is also positioning the program to free up space in NFA warehouses, allowing for increased rice procurement from local producers. The program aims to provide more accessible rice options to the public while ensuring the sustainability of national food security efforts through 2028.
