P20 Per Kilo Rice Program Brings Relief to Bacolod
Bacolod City welcomed the official launch of the P20 per kilo rice program on Thursday, June 5. Hundreds of residents gathered as early as 6 a.m. to buy affordable rice, eager to benefit from the initiative.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Mayor Albee Benitez led the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Burgos Public Market. They were joined by regional and national agriculture officials who expressed optimism about the program’s impact.
Louisa Belluga, 62, from Barangay 20, shared how the P20 per kilo rice program is a great help to her family of four. Usually consuming 1.5 kilos daily, she said the lower price allows them to save money. She gratefully acknowledged the support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the city government.
“Namit ang bugas kag wala baho, mayo klase kag humok,” Belluga said after tasting the rice, praising its good quality and lack of unpleasant smell. She purchased 10 kilos and promised to return.
Residents Praise Rice Quality and Affordability
Sixty-seven-year-old Evelyn Antrone from Barangay Vista Alegre expressed hope that the program will continue. She highlighted how the affordable rice benefits her eight-person household and was surprised by the quality.
Francis Tolentino, a 59-year-old tricycle driver from Barangay 26, also praised the program. With a six-member family consuming 21 kilos weekly, the savings help cover school expenses. He promised to keep buying as long as the rice remained fresh and odorless.
Secretary Laurel assured residents that the rice supplied through the National Food Authority (NFA) is of high standard. “Hindi ito panghayop. Pantao ito. Delikadad at hindi tayo mapapahiya,” he said, emphasizing the human-grade quality of the rice.
Program Details and Future Plans
Laurel explained that the P20 per kilo rice program is the most straightforward way to make affordable rice accessible. Many who have tried it described the rice as clean, tasty, bug-free, and odorless.
The subsidy program will run in partnership with the city government until December. Distribution is not limited to senior citizens or persons with disabilities but open to all qualifying residents, local leaders noted.
Starting January 1, 2026, the national program will supply P20 rice to 15 million households until June 30, 2028. Each household is expected to receive about 10 kilos weekly.
Mayor Benitez said the city initially prioritized sectoral groups but plans to expand access based on NFA supply availability. The local government allocated P7.9 million to purchase 5,880 bags of rice, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Expanded Distribution Across Markets and Barangays
Alongside Burgos Public Market, the program also launched at Central Market and Libertad Public Market. Brenda Burdeos, a city cooperative officer, shared plans to distribute rice in 61 barangays.
Each named barangay will receive 70 sacks, while numbered barangays get 50 sacks until supplies run out. Over 1,000 purchase slips were handed out during the initial launch.
The rice for the program comes from local rice-producing towns like Bago City, San Enrique, and Valladolid. It undergoes processing at NFA-accredited mills within Negros Occidental, ensuring quality and freshness.
The P20 per kilo rice program offers tangible hope for many families struggling with food costs. It reflects a strong partnership between national and local governments working to ease the burden on Filipino households.
For more news and updates on affordable rice programs, visit Filipinokami.com.