MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday launched a pilot run of P20-per-kilogram rice sales in the Visayas, a move aligned with the Marcos administration’s push for food affordability and accessibility.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program will initially be implemented in Visayas due to higher demand and available stocks in the area.

“Ngayon lang natin ila-launch ito, kaya nag-meeting today… It’s because, well, mas kailangan ng tao dito tsaka may stocks din tayo dito,” Tiu Laurel said during a press briefing streamed online.

Under the scheme, each family can buy up to 10 kilograms of rice per week, or 40 kilograms per month.

Tiu Laurel said lower global rice prices and adequate domestic supply made it possible to offer rice at the targeted price. 

“Ever since I came into office, that was the basic question. Can we give P20 rice to the masses?” he said. 

“So ngayon na bumaba ang world market prices, mas magaan na ang subsidy nito,” he said.

He cited existing inventory in National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses in the region, particularly in Iloilo, as a key factor in launching the program in the Visayas.

The DA is also preparing for a wider implementation across the country, but logistical issues still need to be addressed. “We have to also move out stocks from other areas kasi… punong-punong pa rin ang warehouses ng DA ng bigas at palay,” Tiu Laurel said.

The NFA currently holds about 358,000 metric tons of rice, enough to cover national demand for over nine days. Efforts to procure more locally produced palay are ongoing as the harvest season progresses.

Tiu Laurel said the DA has been directed by the President to sustain the P20-per-kilo pricing until the end of his term in 2028. Local governments have been urged to support the implementation to reach more households.

The P20-per-kilogram rice has been one of the Marcos administration’s key promises since the 2022 campaign, alongside the call for unity.