Rappler
Cebu town starts sale of P20/kilo rice ahead of May 1 schedule
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is piloting its P20 per kilogram rice program, with one town in Cebu starting sales on April 30, ahead of the official May 1 launch in the province.
The program's pilot launch in Cebu province is set for May 1, with Kadiwa sites in Metro Manila targeted for May 3, pending Commission on Elections (Comelec) approval due to the election spending ban.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro announced that the initial offering in Cebu will be available to everyone.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. stated the program will commence after the elections if earlier approval is not granted.
The program aims to make high-quality rice accessible and affordable, with projections of losses between P10 billion to P12 billion, and President Marcos allocating P4.5 billion from his contingency fund for subsidies.
The National Food Authority (NFA) has been instructed to transfer rice stocks to the Visayas in preparation for the launch.
In Catmon, Cebu, residents can purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per household weekly with a valid ID and eco bag, on a first-come, first-served basis.
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The Department of Agriculture (DA) will launch a pilot program selling rice at PHP20 per kilogram, with an initial rollout in Cebu province starting in the first week of May.
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The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched a pilot test for its P20-per-kilo subsidized rice program, "Benteng Bigas Meron Na!" or "KnP20 program" in Cebu City on Labor Day, May 1, 2025.
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The Department of Agriculture (DA) will launch its "Benteng Bigas Mayroon (BBM) Na" program, offering rice at PHP20 per kilogram for vulnerable sectors in Metro Manila Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) centers on May 13.
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The Department of Agriculture (DA) will pilot a program selling rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas by next week, following a meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and President Marcos.
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The Philippines has launched a pilot program offering rice at ₱20 per kilo, named Katuparan ng Pangakong P20 na Bigas (KnP20), starting in Cebu City and other Visayas provinces.
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