The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding the rollout of its P20-per-kilo rice program across Metro Manila to make affordable rice more accessible to vulnerable groups.
The “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program, a key food initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., offers quality rice at P20 per kilo to help families cope with high food prices.
The expanded rollout in the National Capital Region will prioritize senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, minimum wage earners, tricycle drivers, farmers, fisherfolk, and other qualified groups.
The DA said the timing of the expansion aligns with the peak harvest season in several rice-producing provinces starting March, when more palay (unmilled rice) is expected to enter the market.
The agency aims to reach up to 15 million households nationwide, particularly those from lower middle-income and financially challenged sectors. The program is also expected to help decongest National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses to make room for fresh stocks and address temporary supply gaps due to delayed rice imports.
On Wedenesday, tthe DA and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) met with local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to speed up and coordinate implementation.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA plans to set up at least five P20 rice outlets in every Metro Manila LGU.
“Our goal is to bring affordable rice closer to our constituents and ensure vulnerable sectors are directly served,” Laurel said.
The DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), which oversees the program, is targeting full-scale expansion by the end of March 2026.
AMAS director Junibert De Sagun urged LGUs to complete requirements quickly to avoid delays, stressing the need for close coordination to ensure steady supply and efficient distribution.
The MMDA pledged logistical and monitoring support, with chairman Romando S. Artes saying the agency will track LGU compliance to help ensure wider coverage.
The DA said the expanded P20 rice program aims to serve both as a social safety net and a tool to help stabilize rice supply in Metro Manila.
