News Details

LAOAG CITY – Registered farmers and fisherfolk in this city on Wednesday began availing of rice at ₱20 per kilogram at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse, marking the formal rollout of the national government’s expanded affordable rice program.

“Now, it can be said that the ₱20 per kilo rice, as promised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is for real,” said 58-year-old Adela Jacinto of Barangay Mangato B, who expressed joy after purchasing a 50-kg bag of rice for just ₱1,000.

By midday, at least 124 farmers had already bought 50 kg each.

NFA-Ilocos Norte warehouse supervisor Emily Corpuz said an initial 5,500 bags were prepared for distribution under the program, which was highlighted by President Marcos in his State of the Nation Address as a nationwide expansion of the ₱20 rice initiative.

“To our beloved farmers, we hope that you embrace this superb program by our President,” NFA-Ilocos Norte branch manager Jonathan Corpuz said in an interview.

The program, branded as “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!”, was first launched in the province on July 31, benefiting 265 minimum wage earners in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and local government units. Farmers and fisherfolk have since been added to the priority beneficiaries.

Under the scheme, eligible farmers can avail of up to 50 kg of rice per month at the subsidized rate of ₱20 per kg, compared to the regular NFA price of ₱29 per kg. The ₱9 difference is shouldered by the Department of Agriculture-Food Terminal, Inc. and participating LGUs.

As of Wednesday, the NFA-Laoag warehouse reported stocks of 21,551 bags of rice and 26,782 bags of palay, enough to cover the next cropping season.

— NPO News Team | PNA-PR