By: Caryl Evangelista – USJ-R Intern – CDN Digital

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Government has temporarily suspended its P20-per-kilo rice program to verify remaining stocks and recalibrate distribution, following strong public demand during its initial rollout.

Mayor Nestor Archival announced on Monday, April 20, that sales under the “Benteng Bigas” program are on hold pending an inventory assessment of supplies from the National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI).

“The sale of rice at the PHP 20.00 price point is temporarily suspended until further notice,” Archival said in an online post.

He advised residents to disregard previously released distribution schedules and added that updates will be issued once the assessment is completed.

The mayor also warned the public against unauthorized house-to-house activities linked to the program.

“NFA, FTI, ug ang Cebu City Government wala mag-authorize og house-to-house ani nga programa,” Archival said.

(The NFA, FTI, and the Cebu City Government have not authorized house-to-house activities for this program.)

Strong demand prompts review

The temporary suspension comes weeks after the city launched subsidized rice sales from March 30 to April 1 in selected barangays, targeting vulnerable sectors amid rising food costs.

During the initial rollout, residents queued early at designated sites.

Under the program, qualified beneficiaries, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, indigent households, farmers, fisherfolk, transport drivers, minimum wage earners, and Department of Education personnel, were allowed to purchase up to 20 kilos per month, subject to availability. 

Initial transactions were capped at 10 kilos due to limited supply.

Distribution was centralized in two sites: Plaza Sugbo for the north district and the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero for the south district.

Sales followed a first-come, first-served system, with validation procedures in place to ensure only eligible residents could access subsidized rice.

Supply verification, program adjustments

Archival said the ongoing inventory aims to reconcile stocks from NFA warehouses and FTI supply channels, which underpin the program through KADIWA distribution networks.

He earlier assured the public that supply levels remain stable, with government and private partners coordinating to prevent shortages and price spikes.

“Naay stock ang tanan grocery operators. Ayaw pag-hoarding,” he said.

(All grocery operators have stocks. Do not hoard.)

He warned that panic buying could disrupt equitable access to essential goods.

“Kay og mag panic buying gani… naay pamilya nga dili makapalit ug mag lisod ug palit,” he added.

(If people engage in panic buying, some families may not be able to buy supplies or will have difficulty doing so.)

Integration with mobile caravans

The rice subsidy is part of the food access strategy that includes grocery caravans deployed in upland barangays to reduce transport costs for residents.

The city earlier said it was studying the integration of the P20 rice program into these mobile setups, allowing distribution beyond central locations.

Under the proposed arrangement, the city government would provide manpower for repacking rice into smaller units, while FTI would handle beneficiary tracking and sales.

“Ang atong responsibilidad is manpower… ang FTI sila maoy mo tan-aw kinsa… sila ang mokuha sa kwarta,” Archival said.

(Our responsibility is to provide manpower… FTI will determine the beneficiaries… they will collect the payments.)

Resumption pending

While no timeline has been set for the resumption of sales, the city government said all future announcements will be coursed through official platforms.

The “Benteng Bigas” program is part of Cebu City’s ongoing efforts to cushion residents from rising living costs by improving access to affordable food staples.

Published Date: April 22, 2026