News Details

DA to launch P20/kg rice sale in Cebu in early May

NPO

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April 28, 2025

PNA

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it is set to roll out the PHP20 per kilogram (kg) rice sale in Cebu province in early May, as part of the program's pilot launch in the Visayas region.

This is in line with the food security, accessibility, and affordability targets of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

"Sila (ang) pinaka-ready (They are the readiest), the launch is the first week of May or May 1 sa (in) Cebu," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the Philippine News Agency in a Viber message.

At least 600,000 sacks of rice will be allocated for Cebu province, he added.

"So, we are sending them this amount in batches," Tiu Laurel said, citing a target of initial delivery within May.

To date, the DA is repositioning rice to be released from the National Food Authority (NFA).
Other local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas have yet to determine the estimated volume needed for the PHP20 per kg. rice sale launch.

Under the P20 per kg. rice sale program, each family will be allowed a 10-kg. purchase per week or a total of 40 kg. every month.

On April 23, Tiu Laurel announced the launch of the said program in the region following a closed-door meeting with Marcos and 12 governors in the Visayas.

He assured that the program will also be launched nationwide to make cheaper rice available to more Filipinos.

As of April 24, the prevailing price of 5 percent broken or premium imported rice is set at PHP45 per kg., with prices ranging from PHP43 to PHP55 per kg., according to the DA Bantay presyo (price watch).

Well-milled imported rice, meanwhile, ranges from PHP43 to PHP45 per kg., while imported regular-milled rice costs PHP35 to PHP45 per kg.

Local premium rice is also pegged at PHP44 to PHP60 per kg.; PHP37 to PHP54 per kg. for local well-milled rice; and PHP35 to PHP43 per kg. local regular-milled rice.