DA Expands P20 Per Kilo Rice Program to Drivers
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will soon welcome tricycle and jeepney drivers as beneficiaries of the P20 per kilo rice program. Starting September 16, accredited drivers can purchase up to 10 kilos of rice monthly under this initiative, officials reported.
“We’re coordinating with [the] Department of Transportation who holds the TODA database,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. shared on Friday, highlighting efforts to streamline beneficiary identification.
Initial Rollout in Navotas City
Navotas City is among the first to implement the expanded program, with around 4,000 accredited drivers set to benefit, community members said. This marks a significant step in broadening the reach of affordable rice access to public utility drivers nationwide.
Current Beneficiaries and Future Expansion
Previously, the P20 per kilo rice program covered solo parents, senior citizens, 4Ps beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, minimum wage earners, rice farmers, and fisherfolk. Local leaders noted that the program will soon extend to include beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Walang Gutom program and low-income Department of Education employees.
Ensuring Rice Supply and Transparency
Concerns about rice availability have been addressed by the DA’s plan to auction 1.2 million bags of rice from the National Food Authority. Initially, these will be allocated for government relief efforts in September, followed by offerings to the private sector, sources confirmed.
In addition, the DA will launch the P20 app on October 1. This tool aims to optimize logistics, enhance transparency, and prevent misuse of the program, officials reported.
Program Growth and Presidential Directive
Despite criticisms, the P20 per kilo rice program, launched in May, has expanded nationwide. The DA targets coverage of approximately 15 million households, or about 60 million Filipinos, by the end of 2026. This coverage is mandated to continue until June 2028, following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., community members said.
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