Marcos Vows to Sustain P20 Rice Program Until 2028: Affordable Food, Empowered Farmers

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has committed to maintaining the government’s P20-per-kilo rice initiative until the end of his term in 2028, declaring it a cornerstone of his administration’s efforts to balance food security and economic inclusivity.
Speaking after the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Marcos confidently assured the public that the affordable rice program — launched under the “Benteng Bigas Mayroon (BBM) Na” banner — will not only continue but thrive. “Watch me sustain it,” the President said, emphasizing that strategic partnerships and policy reforms have made the initiative viable. “We found a way to do it.”
A key component of the program involves collaboration with other countries to stabilize rice prices while also ensuring that Filipino farmers receive a fair purchasing price for their harvest. The government bridges the price gap, ensuring both consumer affordability and farmer livelihood. This balance is central to the sustainability of the initiative.
Initially launched in Cebu and Quezon City under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo framework, the program targets vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, solo parents, PWDs, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Each qualified household can purchase up to 30 kilos of rice per transaction.
The Department of Agriculture has since expanded access to include around 120,000 minimum wage earners nationwide, allowing them to buy up to 10 kilos monthly. The expansion was made possible through employer partnerships and logistical coordination with the National Food Authority and Food Terminal Inc.
Looking ahead, authorities are finalizing more efficient distribution methods and are prepared to import rice through FTI if local supplies become insufficient. For now, government stockpiles are adequate to support the current scale of the program.