DA Assures Adequate Rice Supply as Demand for P20 Program Rises; Online Registration Enforced
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday assured the public that rice stocks remain sufficient despite rising demand for the government’s subsidized P20-per-kilo rice program.
Officials said reserves held by the National Food Authority (NFA) are stable, supported by record procurement last year. However, as demand surges under the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DA is requiring beneficiaries to register online to ensure orderly distribution and prevent overcrowding at outlets.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the system is designed to prioritize vulnerable sectors. He added that consumers who can afford slightly higher prices may purchase rice through Food Terminal Inc.’s Rice-for-All program, which helps ease pressure on subsidized supply.
Authorities also flagged attempts to exploit the system. Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who oversees the KADIWA ng Pangulo program, said some individuals have been caught using fake IDs to access subsidized rice, prompting calls for stricter compliance.
To reinforce supply ahead of the harvest season, the DA allowed limited rice imports starting January. The move comes amid rising global costs driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have affected fuel, freight, and fertilizer prices following disruptions in key trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Rice importation resumed earlier this year after a four-month suspension that had pushed farmgate prices higher. The DA said it remains ready to source from additional exporting countries if needed to stabilize supply.
Meanwhile, President Marcos has approved a P50-per-kilo price cap on imported rice, with an executive order expected to formalize the policy.
Data also show that food inflation among the country’s lowest-income households rose to 3.7 percent in March from 1.9 percent in February, driven largely by increases in cereals, fish, and vegetables.
The DA said its strategy—combining strong domestic procurement, calibrated imports, and controlled distribution—aims to ensure that subsidies reach intended beneficiaries while preventing hoarding.
Beyond rice, the agency is also working to secure fertilizer supply and accelerate infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities, and rice processing systems to lower production costs and support farmers’ incomes.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
