DA expands P20 rice rollout in Samar, Leyte
PALO, Leyte (March 27, 2026) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has stepped up the implementation of its P20-per-kilo rice program, “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, through consecutive distribution activities in Leyte and Samar, benefiting thousands of residents and boosting access to affordable staple food.
In Palo, Leyte, over 5,000 beneficiaries—including farmers, fisherfolk, transport workers such as tricycle and jeepney drivers, minimum wage earners, and low-income families—received subsidized rice under the initiative.
The DA said the program will continue to expand, targeting up to 15,000 individuals listed in the Provincial Local Government Unit’s registry in the coming days.
At the same time, around 2,000 qualified beneficiaries in Sta. Rita, Samar, were able to avail of the affordable rice through a joint rollout with the provincial government.
KADIWA ng Pangulo sellers, mostly composed of farmers’ groups and cooperatives, also participated in the activity by offering fresh produce, processed goods, and other agricultural products. This not only helped meet household food needs but also provided additional income opportunities for local producers.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the initiative has helped stabilize palay prices during the harvest season. She added that the National Food Authority continues to purchase palay at fair prices while distributing rice through KADIWA outlets and the P20 rice program.
She emphasized that the initiative supports both farmers and consumers by ensuring fair earnings and affordable rice.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted the program as a key component of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda, ensuring that Filipino families have access to affordable rice while protecting farmers’ welfare.
The DA noted that the continued rollout demonstrates the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable and accessible rice supply, especially for low-income households, while strengthening support for the agriculture sector.
President Marcos has also directed the DA to sustain the program until June 2028, with a goal of reaching up to 60 million Filipinos by the end of the year.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
