DA to give P20/kilo rice to tricycle, jeepney drivers

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will expand its P20 per kilo rice program to include tricycle and jeepney drivers starting September 16 in five pilot areas.

Accredited drivers can purchase a maximum of 10 kilos of rice monthly under the program.

The DA is coordinating with the Department of Transportation to utilize the TODA database for identifying beneficiaries.

Navotas City is among the initial pilot areas, with approximately 4,000 accredited drivers expected to benefit.

The program's existing beneficiaries include solo parents, senior citizens, 4Ps beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, minimum wage earners, rice farmers, and fisherfolk.

Future beneficiaries will include recipients of the DSWD's Walang Gutom program and low-income DepEd staff.

The DA plans to auction 1.2 million bags of rice from the National Food Authority to ensure supply, with a nationwide expansion to 15 million households planned for 2026.

A P20 App will be launched on October 1 to improve logistics, transparency, and prevent abuse.