House Speaker Supports P20-Per-Kilo Rice Program
House Speaker Martin Romualdez has expressed strong optimism about the possible institutionalization of the Marcos administration’s P20-per-kilo rice program. He emphasized that if the program is feasible in select areas, “Kung kaya sa ilang lugar, dapat kayanin sa buong bansa (If its doable is select areas, then it should be done in the entire country),” highlighting the need to expand it nationwide.
Romualdez, representing Leyte’s 1st district, stressed that the President’s goal resonates deeply with Filipino families. “It’s now our job in Congress to back that up with data, strategy, and decisive legislation,” he added.
Comprehensive Study and Legislative Support Underway
In response, the House has directed its policy and budget experts to conduct a thorough study on the feasibility of making the P20-per-kilo rice program a permanent national policy. The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD), led by House Deputy Secretary General Dr. Romulo Emmanuel M. Miral Jr., will examine the necessary policy, fiscal, and legislative approaches to sustain this initiative.
The CPBRD’s report, expected within 60 days, will serve as a crucial guide for budget hearings and committee discussions. Romualdez assured full cooperation between the House, Malacañang, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and local government units to make affordable rice a permanent reality.
Background and Initial Estimates for P20-Per-Kilo Rice Program
This rice subsidy program fulfills a campaign promise made by President Marcos in 2022, aimed at lowering the price of rice, a staple food in the Philippines. The program has already been implemented in certain areas this year with promising results.
Preliminary figures estimate that subsidizing rice at P20 per kilo for around 44 million poor and near-poor Filipinos—who consume roughly 20 million kilos daily—would require a subsidy of about P7 per kilo. This translates to an estimated P140 million daily or approximately P51.1 billion annually.
To ensure fiscal sustainability, Speaker Romualdez proposed a phased four-year rollout. It would start by covering the bottom 20 percent of the population in 2025, costing around P17 billion. The coverage would expand to 35 percent in 2026 with a P30 billion budget and reach 50 percent by 2027 with the full P51 billion requirement. The 2028 phase will focus on optimizing the program and integrating it with food stamp and buffer stocking initiatives.
Addressing Structural Challenges in Rice Supply
While current efforts like Kadiwa stores provide some relief, Romualdez noted that the initiative must go beyond subsidies to tackle deeper issues in the rice supply chain. He pointed to challenges such as smuggling, hoarding, reliance on imports, and insufficient support for local farmers—problems also highlighted by President Marcos.
“This study will not be limited to subsidy calculations. We need to overhaul the entire system—from seed to store shelf,” Romualdez said.
Bridging the Price Gap
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority indicates that from January to March 2025, the average farmgate price for palay was P19.54 per kilo, while retail rice sold for P53.85 per kilo, revealing a price gap exceeding P32.
Closing this gap will require increased government purchases directly from farmer cooperatives, improved post-harvest facilities, stronger price stabilization under the National Food Authority, and strict enforcement of laws against economic sabotage.
Legislative Measures to Ensure Affordable Rice
The House will prioritize bills that support affordable rice, including proposals to create a Rice Assistance Fund consolidating subsidies from various agencies. Lawmakers also aim to pass the National Rice Buffer Stocking Act, which will set clear guidelines on procurement and importation.
Other initiatives include expanding the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to back mechanization and drying facilities, and establishing a Logistics and Market Stabilization Fund to handle transport, warehousing, and emergency supply challenges.
“Food security is not just the job of the farmer. It is a responsibility that involves every part of government and society,” Romualdez emphasized, underscoring the collective effort needed to ensure affordable rice for all.
For more news and updates on P20-per-kilo rice program, visit Filipinokami.com.