The Department of Agriculture (DA) has postponed the full rollout of the ₱20-per-kilo rice program to May 13, following the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) recommendation to avoid politicizing the initiative ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. launched the program in Cebu on Labor Day, reaffirming President Marcos’ promise to make affordable rice accessible to Filipinos, with an initial focus on the Visayas region.
A pilot test in Cebu, supported by local LGUs and Food Terminal Inc., will run until December and aims to benefit around 800,000 households.
Meanwhile, Comelec reminded that although the DA received an exemption for the rollout, LGU involvement in subsidy distribution falls under the 10-day election-related aid ban.
In a related move, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has also suspended payouts under the TUPAD program until after election day to comply with the same restriction.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 2, 2025
₱20 RICE ROLLOUT MOVED TO MAY 13, SAYS AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
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