THE Department of Agriculture’s (DA) P20-per-kilo rice program has reached 961,346 beneficiaries in September, the highest monthly turnout since its inception in May 2025.

The DA reported that 21.4 million kilos of rice were purchased in September. Overall, a recorded 135.98 million kilos of rice have been bought by consumers from January to September.

The month’s beneficiaries have surpassed April’s record of 838,695, highlighting the demand for cheaper rice.

“This year alone, from January to the end of September, the P20-per-kilo rice program has directly helped over 5.6 million Filipinos ease the pressure on their wallets, while helping local farmers secure a higher price for their palay (unmilled rice) from the National Food Authority (NFA),” said DA Secretary and NFA Chairperson Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.

The key demographic for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s rice initiative buyers include senior citizens, indigents, solo parents, persons with disabilities, farmers, fisherfolk and minimum-wage earners, said the DA. Mr. Laurel will also allow beneficiaries to claim their 30-kilo allocation in a single transaction starting December this year. — Maria Mikaela H. Tormon

Published Date: November 2, 2026