The Department of Agriculture said the P20-per-kilo market price for rice promised by President Marcos is no longer attainable without government subsidies due to rising fertilizer, fuel, and transport costs.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said urea prices have surged from around P700 per sack to nearly P2,600, making it difficult to lower production costs.
Locally produced regular-milled rice averaged P44.94 per kilo from Aug. 24 to 30, while well-milled and premium rice averaged P47.73 and P52.76, respectively.
The government has instead implemented the subsidized “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program through 800 Kadiwa outlets, benefiting more than 12 million Filipinos as of July.
Tiu Laurel said the country has sufficient rice stocks but expects El Niño to cut local production by about 700,000 metric tons, prompting the government to import rice after the harvest season.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 5, 2026
DA FLAGS CHALLENGES IN MAINTAINING P20/KILO RICE PRICE
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