Public school teachers and other non-teaching personnel are now included in the government’s P20/kilo rice program, officials announced yesterday.
They are the latest sector to be included in the flagship program that sells rice in much cheaper prices.
To formalize the inclusion, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education signed a memorandum of understanding at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Expo held in Intramuros, Manila on Friday.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said around 800,000 public school teachers and staff will benefit from the program.
“Ang plano naming unahin, sa usapan, yung pinakamalayong areas muna,” Tiu Laurel said.
He said they will prioritize some islands in Camarines Sur and Romblon for the pilot of P20/kilo rice rollout for teachers.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara lauded the move, saying this will help teachers especially in rural areas.
Prior to teachers, the agriculture department also included transport workers under the program.
