Cebu P20/kilo rice from May 1, rollout delayed till May 13

Starting May 1, everyone in Cebu province can purchase rice at P20 per kilo at KADIWA centers as part of the government's pilot rollout of its rice subsidy program.

However, due to complications with the election spending ban and pending approval from Comelec, the full implementation of the program may be delayed until May 13.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that initially everyone was eligible for subsidized rice starting May 1, but now Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel is considering postponing the launch after the midterm elections.

The Department of Agriculture has already set aside PHP5 billion from its contingency fund to Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) for distribution and aims to benefit about 400,000 families in pilot areas across Visayas and Metro Manila.

Local government units still need to request exemptions from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to continue the program beyond December 2025, with some provinces like Cebu awaiting approval for full implementation.

Despite these delays, KADIWA stores will proceed with selling P20 rice starting May 1, while a broader rollout may be postponed until after the election spending ban is lifted.