DA triples monthly rice allocation for P29 beneficiaries

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has tripled the monthly rice allocation for beneficiaries of the P29 rice program, allowing vulnerable sectors to purchase up to 30 kilos per month, up from the previous limit of 10 kilos.

“The vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigents, make up several million people covered by the government’s P29 program,” DA said in a statement. The rice is sourced from the National Food Authority’s buffer stocks and is available nationwide at KADIWA ng Pangulo stores and centers.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. urged eligible beneficiaries to take advantage of the expanded allocation, emphasizing the government’s commitment to making affordable rice more accessible.

Rice remains a major household expense, accounting for P9 of every P100 spent by the average Filipino and over P18 per P100 for the poorest households, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Launched in July last year, the P29 rice program is part of the DA’s broader efforts to ease the burden of rising food costs. The department also introduced the Rice-for-All (RFA) initiative, which allows all consumers to purchase rice at reduced prices, currently set at:

P43 per kilo (5% broken grains)

P35 per kilo (25% broken grains)

P33 per kilo (100% broken grains)

The new policy allows these sectors to purchase up to 30 kilos of rice each month, a three-fold increase from the previous limit.

“We urge you to take advantage of this new policy, which responds to the calls from our financially-challenged fellow citizens for greater access to more affordable food, especially rice,” he stated during the Trabaho at Serbisyong Pangkalusugan sa Bagong Pilipinas event held on Friday in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Meanwhile, the DA’s implementation of a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice has led to a significant price drop without disrupting the rice industry. Before its introduction in early February, rice with 5% broken grains retailed at around P64 per kilo, despite lower global prices, tariff cuts, and a stronger peso.

The MSRP initially set at P58 per kilo was further reduced to P49 per kilo by March 1. Laurel hinted at another possible price cut by the end of March if global rice prices continue to decline, and the peso remains strong.

“If the current trend in world rice prices persists and the peso remains strong, we might lower the MSRP for imported rice to around P45 per kilo by March 31,” he earlier said.