Suspended Nationwide: P20 Rice Program Halted Except in Cebu
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MAY 03,2025
The government has suspended the P20 per kilo rice program until after the May 12 elections, following the recommendation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. launched the program on Thursday in Cebu. Hours later, Comelec urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to halt it, citing a rule that bans government aid distribution within 10 days before the election and on election day.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia explained the move prevents the program from being used for political gain. He clarified that the agency supports aid efforts but must uphold election laws. Although Comelec earlier granted a conditional exemption from the 45-day spending ban, local government units still needed written approval.
Tiu Laurel then confirmed the program’s suspension, saying the DA wants to avoid any violations.
Suspended Nationwide-Farmers’ Groups Slam the Rice Rollout
Groups like Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Amihan criticized the subsidy, calling it a campaign ploy. They argued that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aims to recover falling approval ratings and boost administration candidates.
“These subsidies are just for show,” said KMP’s Ronnie Manalo. “Real price drops come from government support for local production.”
Farmers said the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) caused the current crisis by allowing excessive imports. This oversupply lowered palay (unmilled rice) prices and hurt farmers’ earnings. Amihan’s Cathy Estavillo noted that the law limits the government’s power to offer direct subsidies or buy local rice.
“As long as RTL exists, rice prices won’t truly drop,” Estavillo said.
Cebu Proceeds with Exempted Program
Despite the national suspension, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia confirmed their Sugbo Mercadong Barato (SMB) rice sales will continue. Comelec already granted Cebu an exemption.
Garcia said the SMB rice is not a giveaway. “We’re selling it, not handing it out,” she stressed. Each buyer can get up to 10 kilos per week. The program avoids politics by prohibiting candidates from appearing during distribution events.
In 2023, Cebu spent P100 million to buy rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) and distribute it across 51 localities.
RICE STOCKS Sacks of rice are stacked at the National Irrigation Administration in Quezon City, where it was sold for P29 per kilo starting on May 2, 2025, as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to make the staple affordable to the public. But the Department of Agriculture announced on the same day that it was suspending the sale of well-milled rice from the National Food Authority for P20 per kilo until the end of the national and local elections this month to comply with the Commission on Elections’ order deferring the implementation of any government initiative lest it be used for political gains. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
Garcia urged other Visayan governors to seek exemptions. “Let’s stop the people’s suffering. They’ve waited too long.”
Focus on Long-Term Agricultural Solutions
Suspended Nationwide-Former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, now running for Congress, backed the P20 rice idea but emphasized the need to boost supply. “If supply stays low, prices stay high — just like electricity,” he said.
Yap added that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should help manage rice pricing to protect consumers.
RELATED STORY: Cebu City Launches P20 Rice Program
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