Iloilo secures PHP19M for 'Rice Para sa Bayan at 20 Pesos'

The provincial government of Iloilo has secured a PHP19-million counterpart fund to support the 'Rice Para sa Bayan at 20 Pesos' program, which aims to make rice more affordable for targeted beneficiaries.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. officially launched the initiative as part of the SiPag at TiyaGa food and health security convergence program under Executive Order No. 40 on Monday.

The PHP6.50 per kilo subsidy will be sourced from the Office of the Governor to help lower rice prices for beneficiaries, primarily families with undernourished children aged 0 to 59 months.

Based on a 2024 survey, Iloilo province has identified around 11,000 undernourished children in need of assistance through RPB@20.

The program will be implemented through Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers and Bigasan ng Bayan outlets, with the provincial government yet to discuss operational details with partner agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agency, the National Food Authority (NFA).