Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Expansion of P20 rice program to Metro Manila LGUs launched in San Juan

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the expansion of its P20 per kilogram rice program to Metro Manila local government units (LGU) with a kick off ceremony in San Juan on Friday.With the rollout to be done in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the agency’s chairman, Don Artes, said he expects the program to reach all other National Capital Region (NCR) LGUs by next month.Artes added, they are in charge of coordination with the LGUs.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/2/agri-dept-expanding-p20-rice-program-this-year-1550">Agri dept expanding P20 rice program this year</a></div>Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expects every city hall to have an outlet selling the rice, but deployment in other places would be left to each LGU’s discretion.“Well, definitely, I think by default, ‘yung city hall is one of the main centers na pinupuntahan ng mga mamamayan. So I would assume– mayor, ‘no– na magkakaroon ang bawat city hall. But of course, ‘yung pag-deploy beyond the city hall, I would leave that to the LGUs,” Tiu Laurel said on Friday.The agriculture secretary said he also hopes the program would reach the barangay level.“Wala nang hatian sa payment. Basically tutulong sa ‘min ang mga LGUs to be distribution– distributor, at parang collection agent lang. Of course, mayroon din silang magiging gastos diyan katulad ng logistics tsaka manpower… Itong ine-expand natin kasi gusto natin makarating ‘to hanggat maaari hanggang barangay level if possible,” Tiu Laurel told reporters.In San Juan, purchase under the program is limited to 10 kg of rice per transaction.They may also buy rice up to three times a month.On Friday morning at the San Juan City Hall Atrium, the program was opened priority sectors named by the San Juan LGU, including:• Senior Citizens• Solo Parents• Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)• Indigent Households (kasama ang 4Ps beneficiaries)• Farmers and Farm Workers• Fisherfolks• Jeepney Drivers• Tricycle Drivers• Minimum Wage Earners• DepEd Teachers and Non-Teaching Personnel• Identified Beneficiaries of the Department of AgricultureAccording to Tiu Laurel, they are “heavily relying” on LGUs to identify individuals to qualify as beneficiaries, but they are hoping to include those under lower middle income class.“Ang hinahabol natin ngayon ’yung mga lower middle income at pababa na. At we are heavily relying on the LGU dito kasi sila nakakaalam sino ba ‘yung mas nangangailangan. So ang LGU ay nangunguna sa tulong ng DA para ma-identify sinong mangangailangan at makarating talaga ito sa mga nangangailangan,” Tiu Laurel said.“Nang in-announce ko po ito three days ago, grabe po ang naging pagtanggap po ng ating mga mamamayan– patunay na talagang hinahanap ng sambayanan ang murang bigas na mataas ang quality,” Zamora said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/12/during-marcos-birthday-p20-kg-rice-available-to-all-filipinos-in-kadiwa-stores-da-1852">During Marcos&#x27; birthday, P20/kg rice available to all Filipinos in Kadiwa stores: DA</a></div>Tiu Laurel said the integration of a QR code system for an easier buying process and data gathering has helped ensure they do not run out of rice supply.“Ang napansin namin kasi sa mga pag-implement sa pag-trial period last year, dahil popular nga ‘yung programa, mahaba ‘yung pila. So how can you shorten ‘yung pila? ‘Di ba? Isang paraan is QR code para kung may QR na sila, babarilin lang ‘yung QR code, lalabas na then benta na kaagad. Hindi katulad dati– lista, confirm muna kung ilan kukuha natin. Then it’s also good for monitoring,” the DA secretary said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the expansion of its P20 per kilogram rice program to Metro Manila local government units (LGU) with a kick off ceremony in San Juan on Friday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the expansion of its P20 per kilogram rice program to Metro Manila local government units (LGU) with a kick off ceremony in San Juan on Friday.