Govt's P20/kilo Rice Program Hits P2.4B Sales in Over a Year

The Philippine government's P20 per kilo rice initiative has generated P2.4 billion in sales since its launch in May last year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday. This contributes significantly to the total P4 billion sales of KADIWA ng Pangulo (KADIWA of the President) stores, highlighting the public's persistent demand for affordable staple food amidst rising living costs. According to the DA, KADIWA recorded P4.42 billion in sales from July 2022 to July 20, 2026, benefiting over 12 million consumers through 22,178 marketing activities nationwide. The "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!" (P20 Rice, We Have It Now!) program accounts for the bulk of these sales. In just over a year, the program distributed 121,271 metric tons of rice to an estimated 12.1 million beneficiaries, generating P2.4 billion in sales. This underscores the strong demand for affordable staple food amid elevated living costs. The P20 per kilo rice initiative provides subsidized rice to vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, minimum wage earners, public transport workers, indigents, and registered farmers and fisherfolk. Currently, there are 805 active Benteng Bigas selling sites, with 295 having regular selling schedules. "KADIWA is proving that a stronger market for our farmers translates into more affordable food for Filipino families. By shortening the value chain, we reduce unnecessary costs while ensuring farmers earn more from what they produce," said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The program sources rice from the stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA), which are procured directly from local farmers. The government subsidizes the program through the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). Under the initiative, the government procures rice from the NFA at P33 per kilo and sells it at P20 per kilo. The P13 per kilo subsidy is shared by the national government and local government units at P6.50 each. — RSJ, GMA News