DA Accelerates P20-Per-Kilo Rice Rollout Amid Energy Emergency

Photo: National Food Authority

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is fast-tracking the nationwide expansion of its P20-per-kilogram rice program as of April 2026, aimed at protecting households from rising food costs driven by a global energy emergency. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that while the national food supply remains sufficient, elevated fuel and logistics expenses are straining the budgets of many Filipinos, necessitating a more aggressive rollout of the "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!" (BBM Na!) initiative. Following recent directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DA is scaling up operations by extending selling hours and increasing the number of distribution outlets to provide more consistent access for the public. 

During the first quarter of 2026, the program established 932 selling sites across the country, which include Kadiwa outlets, National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses, and partner sites managed by local government units and the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). The DA is now set to roll out an additional 900 selling sites, prioritizing high-need areas such as Capiz, Bukidnon, Cebu, Cotabato, and Catanduanes, with a goal of reaching 1,800 outlets by the end of the year. As of early April, approximately 6.45 million beneficiaries have been served, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, 4Ps households, and most recently, transport workers and farmers who are also heavily impacted by the energy crisis.

The sustainability of the program is supported by a formalized agreement between the FTI and NFA, which earmarks ₱3 billion for the procurement of 1.8 million 50-kilo bags of well-milled rice. This funding is part of a larger ₱10-billion "Rice for All" allocation intended to stabilize retail prices and ensure fair returns for local farmers by maintaining high farmgate buying prices. To further streamline the process and ensure transparency, the government is also implementing a digital registry system using QR codes to monitor purchases and prevent program abuse.