The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday announced that it has completed the nationwide rollout of the P20-per-kilo rice program.
The DA said the initiative, branded “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!,” is now present in all 82 provinces.
The final launches were held in the towns of Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao del Norte.
The P20 rice is limited to vulnerable groups such as 4Ps beneficiaries, single parents, seniors, indigenous peoples, PWDs, minimum wage earners, transport workers, farmers, and fisherfolk.
The rice stocks are sourced from the National Food Authority, which procures palay directly from local farmers.
The program is subsidized through the Food Terminal Inc. to bring down the price from P33 to P20 per kilo.
The national government and local government units each shoulder P6.50 of the P13-per-kilo subsidy.
The DA said the pilot rollout is meant to address supply and logistical challenges before expanding the program nationwide in 2026.
Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said the project aims to uplift families and support local production while ensuring inclusivity.
The DA said it has established 429 sites and will focus next year on sustaining supply and strengthening production to reach 15 million households.