Cebu: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced plans to roll out a PHP20 per kilogram rice sale in Cebu province at the beginning of May. This initiative is part of a pilot program aimed at enhancing food security, accessibility, and affordability, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration targets.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the launch date for the program in Cebu, describing the province as “the readiest” for this initiative. Laurel stated that 600,000 sacks of rice would be allocated to Cebu and dispatched in batches, with initial deliveries expected within May. The DA is currently repositioning rice stocks to be released from the National Food Authority (NFA) to support the program.

Other local government units in the Visayas are still assessing their rice volume requirements for the program. Under the PHP20 per kg rice sale initiative, families will be permitted to purchase up to 10 kg of rice per week, totaling 40 kg monthly.

On April 23, Tiu Laurel revealed the program’s launch following a meeting with President Marcos and 12 governors from the Visayas. He assured that the program would eventually expand nationwide to provide affordable rice to more Filipino families.

As of April 24, the prevailing price of 5 percent broken or premium imported rice is set at PHP45 per kg, with a price range of PHP43 to PHP55 per kg. Well-milled imported rice varies from PHP43 to PHP45 per kg, while imported regular-milled rice costs between PHP35 to PHP45 per kg. Local premium rice prices range from PHP44 to PHP60 per kg, with local well-milled rice priced between PHP37 and PHP54 per kg and local regular-milled rice costing PHP35 to PHP43 per kg.