Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday that its flagship “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, which supports the Marcos Jr. administration’s P20 per kilo rice initiative, will be available in all provinces across the Philippines by the end of October.Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told lawmakers during the House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing that the program is now serving Filipinos in multiple regions.“Iyong sa “Benteng Bigas” natin ay very well accepted everywhere we go. Actually, the other day I was in Koronadal City [South Cotabato] noong Sabado where we launched it. We have 253 outlets now, not [including] the Kadiwa outlets, plus we&#x27;re opening up in 2 months or 3 months 130 warehouses ng NFA, and all fish ports sa Pilipinas na owned by Philippine Fisheries Development Authority,” Tiu Laurel said.The DA said the program currently operates more than 250 outlets nationwide, excluding those under Kadiwa, and is expanding with the opening of 130 additional National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses and outlets in Philippine Fisheries Development Authority ports.By yearend, around 650,000 minimum wage earners are expected to benefit, with targeted rollout to jeepney and tricycle drivers.“Ang target namin ng DOLE is by end of this year, we have about 650,000 workers na mabibigyan nito. Then by tomorrow, ang launching natin sa TODA -- mga jeepney drivers and tricycle drivers. So, tuluy-tuloy ang implementation nito. Hopefully by the end of this year, we&#x27;ll be in all provinces na and almost all municipalities,” he explained.Tiu Laurel assured lawmakers that the P20 rice program will soon reach every province.“Ang target namin is dapat by end of October, lahat ng probinsya meron na. iyong expansion within, iyong sa loob ng probinsya, iyon iyong may major challenge sa ngayon. But by end of October, lahat ng probinsya meron na,” he said, citing Ilocos Sur, Zamboanga provinces, Davao, Agusan, General Santos City, and Tawi-Tawi among the areas in the pipeline.The DA is preparing for a grand nationwide launch in 2026 once operations are fully established at the municipal level.Alongside the rice program, the DA is also addressing supply-side issues. Laurel confirmed that rice importation permits were suspended from September 1 to October 31 under the President’s directive, a move aimed at boosting local palay prices.He added that the suspension helped stabilize farmgate prices of palay, which previously dropped to as low as P8 to P10 per kilo.“Nag-succeed naman ng kaunti iyong ating pag-stoppage ng import, dahil dati may 8 to 10 pesos per kilo ang palay, ngayon meron nang umaabot ng 13 to 14 [pesos per kilo]” he told the panel.

By yearend, around 650,000 minimum wage earners are expected to benefit, with targeted rollout to jeepney and tricycle drivers.

By yearend, around 650,000 minimum wage earners are expected to benefit, with targeted rollout to jeepney and tricycle drivers.

DA eyes nationwide rollout of P20/kilo rice program by October

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

DA eyes nationwide rollout of P20/kilo rice program by October

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 15, 2025 06:42 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Budget Hearing

Department of Agriculture

Francisco Tiu Laurel

Agriculture

Benteng Bigas

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.