Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday said around 4 million Filipinos may benefit from the P20 per kilogram (kg) rice program in pilot areas in the Visayas.

This comes ahead of the initial launch of P20/kg. rice program in Cebu province and in eight select Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Centers in Metro Manila on May 1 and 2, respectively.

"Iyong (The) initial target for the Region 6, 7, 8, [Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas], and Negros Island region was almost 800,000 families, so, times five [family members], 4 million individuals... Hindi pa kasama iyong (excluding beneficiaries in) Kadiwa,” Tiu Laurel said in a press conference at the DA Central Office in Quezon City.

The initial participating KNP sites in Metro Manila on May 2 are Agribusiness Development Center (ADC), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and Philippine National Police (PNP) Camp Crame in Quezon City; Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Malate, Manila; Philippine Fiber Industry (PhilFIDA) in Las Piñas; Bagong Sibol Market in Marikina City; Disiplina Village in Ugong, Valenzuela City; and Navotas City Hall in Navotas.

Other local government units (LGU) that joined the DA in the sale of PHP33 per kg. under the food security emergency, likewise, may also participate in the pilot launch of the P20/kg. rice project.

These include San Juan City, Navotas, and the National Housing Authority (NHA) site in Metro Manila; Isabela; San Rafael, Bulacan; Palayan, Nueva Ecija; Siniloan, Laguna; Camarines Sur; Cotabato; and Mati City in Davao Oriental.

The DA, however, said the pilot launch in KNP sites in Metro Manila may be rescheduled if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) does not allow the sale within 10 days before the midterm polls.

For its nationwide implementation, he said the DA may roll out the P20/kg. rice program in January 2026.

PNA PHOTO