(UPDATED) The Philippine government is temporarily halting its P20/kilo rice program a day after its launch to give way to the May 2–12 ban on the distribution of government aid during the election period.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said 2,500 indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and beneficiaries of the government conditional cash transfer program bought 500 bags of the P20/kg rice at the launch of the program on Labor Day Thursday. Each customer was allowed to buy 10 kilos of the cheaper-priced rice.

“May advise si Comelec Chairman Garcia na mula ngayon hanggang May 12, after election na lang yung pagbebenta,” Laurel told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

He said the program will resume immediately after the elections on May 13.

“May 13, ‘yung target natin, Central, Eastern and Western Visayas kasama na rin ‘yung NIR (Negros). Isasama na rin ‘yung Kadiwa centers sa Metro Manila at ‘yung mga areas na nagparticipate during food security emergency declaration, gaya ng sa Bicol, Camarines Sur, Bulacan at iba pang lugar,” he said,

The agriculture chief said the DA has enough supply for the program this year at 370,000 metric tons or 6 million bags. Distribution will continue until December, he said, with plans to continue the program from 2026 until the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s term in 2028.

The Comelec said it recommended the suspension of the P20/kilo rice program, amid fears that it would be used for politicking. 

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the program’s intention was good but it could be exploited by politicians.

“Matapos tayo makapagbigay ng rekomendasyon o ating suhestiyon na sana mula May 2 hanggang May 12 ay walang magpapatupad ng pagbebenta ng P20 na bigas. Napakagandang programa pero sabi natin makakapaghintay naman siguro ang programang magandang yan,” Garcia told reporters. 

“Kahit na May 13, hindi na kailangang kumuha ng exemption sa Comelec sapagkat hindi po ba sinabi namin, bawal ang ayuda mula May 2 hanggang May 12,” he added. 

He said there are only two types of aid that could be distributed from May 2 to May 12. 

“Yan ay medical assistance sa mga kababayan nating may sakit...at burial assistance. Hindi makakapaghintay ang paglilibing ng ating mga namatay. Kaya yan ay pinapayagan ng Comelec kahit na maaaring ayuda yan,” he said. - with a report from Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News