The Department of Agriculture expects to reach about 3.2 million Filipinos, or roughly 780,000 households, as it extends its P20-per-kilogram rice program from January to February 2026.
The expansion will begin with a province-wide rollout in Pangasinan, shifting from limited distribution to full provincial coverage for eligible middle- and lower-income households, the department said Monday.
Originally restricted to the most vulnerable sectors, the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” flagship food security initiative is widening its scope to ease food inflation and support palay farmgate prices.
The program is supported by a P23-billion allocation in 2026, but the government said the figure could be reduced if pending legislation granting the National Food Authority (NFA) greater authority over rice supply and demand is approved.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program initially targeted beneficiaries of the 4Ps welfare program, people with disabilities, single parents and senior citizens.
Coverage has since grown to include transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk, minimum-wage earners and education personnel. Tiu Laurel said the government aims to reach 15 million households, or about 60 million Filipinos, by 2026.
Following the Pangasinan pilot, the department plans to expand to three cities in the Visayas and Mindanao, including Davao City and six additional provinces between January and February.
These locations were selected based on National Food Authority stock availability and logistical readiness.
To manage supply, the government will maintain purchase limits. Senior citizens are permitted to buy 30 kilograms a month, while other beneficiaries are limited to 10 kilos. Most of the rice will be sourced from the NFA, which the department admitted creates delivery challenges in remote and island areas.
The expansion will require additional logistics support, cashiers and close coordination with local governments to manage costs and accountability. Beneficiaries must register via QR codes to streamline distribution and auditing.
Distribution will utilize 740 Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores, public markets and local government outlets. The government intends to establish at least one access point per municipality, with a broader goal of expanding the Kadiwa network to 3,000 stores by 2028.
