P5-B earmarked for P29/kg rice program

The government has earmarked P5 billion to sustain its P29 per-kilo-rice program, ensuring more Filipinos have access to affordable rice, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said last week.

“[May] inilaan po ang pamahalaan para po diyan, five billion (pesos) po para po dito sa programang ito,” Castro said in a Malacañang briefing, assuring the public that funds are sufficient to support the initiative.

On March 21, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced an increase in the monthly allocation for the program, allowing beneficiaries to buy up to 30 kilos of rice each month. The affordable rice is available at all Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores nationwide.

The program primarily benefits senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, indigents, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

When asked how the increased National Food Authority (NFA) rice allocation balances consumer support with warehouse decongestion, Castro explained that increasing purchases would reduce buffer stocks.

“This will create more space, allowing the NFA to buy more palay from farmers, especially during the harvest season,” she said.