Manila: The Marcos administration is proposing about PHP69.9 billion for three major rice programs in 2027 to boost local production, improve farmers' productivity and incomes, and keep the staple food affordable and accessible. Under the 2027 National Expenditure Program, about PHP29.9 billion is earmarked for the National Rice Program, PHP30 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), and PHP10 billion for the Rice for All Program.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) stated that the programs would support the rice value chain through seeds, farm inputs, machinery, irrigation, credit, and training, while expanding access to affordable rice for consumers. The PHP29.9 billion proposed for the National Rice Program would fund quality seeds, farm inputs, extension services, and modern production technologies to help rice farmers increase productivity and incomes.
The government is also proposing PHP30 billion for the RCEF to sustain investments aimed at improving the productivity, profitability, and competitiveness of rice farmers. Under Republic Act 12078, the RCEF was extended until 2031, with its annual allocation tripled from PHP10 billion to PHP30 billion. The fund is sourced from tariffs collected from rice imports.
Of the PHP30 billion, about PHP9 billion will finance rice farm machinery and equipment through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. Rice seed development, propagation, and promotion through the Philippine Rice Research Institute will receive PHP6 billion. The remaining PHP15 billion will fund other priority programs, including rice training and extension services, financial and credit assistance for farmers, composting facilities, irrigation and soil health improvement, pest and disease management, and farming support programs of the Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Administration under the contract farming program.
The government is also proposing PHP10 billion for the Rice for All Program, which aims to make affordable rice more accessible through KADIWA Centers and other accredited facilities nationwide. The program complements production-focused initiatives by ensuring that increased agricultural productivity translates into greater access to affordable rice for Filipino families.
The DBM said the combined investment reflects the government's three-pronged approach to rice security: increasing domestic production, strengthening farmers, and bringing affordable rice closer to consumers. DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon highlighted that the proposed investments are part of the Marcos administration's broader food security agenda, which seeks to raise agricultural productivity while improving the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk.
In his Budget Message for fiscal year 2027, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of strengthening the livelihoods of farmers and other food producers to achieve food security. He emphasized that the strength of the nation begins with the strength of those who cultivate the land and harvest the seas, and every decision made in agriculture is an investment toward advancing food security, rural development, economic resilience, and the people's well-being.
The Marcos administration has identified food security as a priority as it works toward its goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030.
