Marcos Expands P20 Rice Program to Cushion Impact of Rising Energy Costs
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up the nationwide rollout of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship food initiative, “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, as the government moves to shield vulnerable households from rising costs driven by the ongoing energy crisis.
The President has directed the DA to expand the P20-per-kilo rice program by extending selling hours and opening more distribution points across the country. The move aims to widen access to affordable rice as higher fuel prices continue to push up food and logistics costs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the expansion is meant to stabilize food access amid mounting price pressures.
As of the first quarter of 2026, the DA has set up 932 P20 rice outlets nationwide, including KADIWA centers, National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses, local government units, and partner sellers accredited by Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). By April 7, around 6.45 million beneficiaries had been served.
The program targets vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), solo parents, persons with disabilities, and farmers and fisherfolk.
To further scale up operations, the DA is set to launch 900 additional selling sites, focusing on high-need areas such as Capiz, Bukidnon, Cebu, Cotabato, and Catanduanes.
A key boost comes from a newly formalized agreement between FTI and the NFA, securing funding and supply for 2026. The deal covers the procurement of around 1.8 million 50-kilo sacks of well-milled rice, backed by a ₱3 billion budget under the broader ₱10 billion rice program.
The initiative also strengthens support for local farmers. Increased procurement of palay is expected to stabilize farmgate prices, with the NFA raising buying prices to as much as ₱30 per kilo in some areas during peak harvest periods.
Under the arrangement, FTI—led by CEO Joseph Rudolph C. Lo—will handle procurement, while the NFA will supply rice stocks through a streamlined government-to-government setup to speed up distribution.
Officials say the program is gaining traction as more consumers turn to subsidized outlets amid volatile market conditions linked to global oil shocks. The government aims to expand the network to 1,800 P20 rice selling sites nationwide by the end of 2026.
While the intervention is expected to ease short-term pressures, its long-term success will depend on efficient execution—ensuring targeted distribution, minimizing leakages, and balancing immediate relief with sustained market stability.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
