By VINCE ANGELO FERRERAS, GMA News

The government’s P20 per kilo rice initiative has generated P2.4 billion sales since it was launched in May last year, pushing the sales of KADIWA ng Pangulo stores to over P4 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.

According to DA, the bulk of KADIWA’s P4.42 billion in sales from July 2022 to July 20, 2026, came from the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program.

“Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed KADIWA generated P4.42 billion in sales from July 2022 to July 20, 2026, benefiting over 12 million consumers through 22,178 marketing activities nationwide,” the department said in a statement.

“In just over a year, the program generated P2.4 billion in sales after distributing 121,271 metric tons of rice to an estimated 12.1 million beneficiaries, underscoring the strong demand for affordable staple food amid elevated living costs,” it added.

The P20 per kilo rice initiative provides subsidized rice to vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, minimum wage earners, public transport workers, indigents, and registered farmers and fisherfolk.

There are currently 805 active Benteng Bigas selling sites, including 295 with regular selling schedules.

“KADIWA is proving that a stronger market for our farmers translates into more affordable food for Filipino families. By shortening the value chain, we reduce unnecessary costs while ensuring farmers earn more from what they produce,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said

The program sources rice from the stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA), which are procured directly from local farmers. The government subsidizes the program through the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI).

Under the initiative, the government procures rice from the NFA at P33 per kilo. These will then be sold at P20 per kilo, with the P13 per kilo subsidy to be shared by the national government and the local government units at P6.50 each. — RSJ, GMA News

Published Date: July 22, 2026