DA eyes P20/kilo rice program post-elections

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel is considering launching the P20-per-kilo rice program after the May 13, 2025 elections due to concerns about the election spending ban.

The DA pilot tested the sale of rice at P20 per kilo at the Cebu provincial capitol on Thursday, May 1, but the full implementation of the program has been reset to after May 13.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked the DA to temporarily cease the rollout of the P20/kilo rice between May 2 and 12.

While the Comelec previously exempted the program, the DA needs to secure separate approval for the subsidy rate, as mandated by the Omnibus Election Code which prohibits public fund disbursement 45 days before an election.

The DA has allocated P5 billion for the pilot phase, with the possibility of increasing it to P12 billion depending on market demand and local government unit (LGU) participation.

Under the program, the DA, through the Food Terminal Inc., and participating LGUs will each shoulder P6.50 to bridge the difference between the current market price of rice (P33 per kilo) and the target price of P20 per kilo.

The Cebu provincial government is still awaiting Comelec approval for its participation.