Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has announced an expansion of the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program this 2026, with a province-wide rollout in Pangasinan scheduled for January. 

The initiative is part of the government’s plan to reach 15 million households by the end of 2026.

The government has allocated P23 billion in 2026 to subsidize the P20 rice program. Initially targeting society’s most vulnerable sectors, the program is now set for a broader reach. 

“We started with the most vulnerable—4Ps beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, single parents, and senior citizens,” Tiu Laurel said. 

“Then we expanded to TODA members, farmers, fisherfolk, minimum-wage earners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel. 

“By 2026, our target is 15 million households, or roughly 60 million Filipinos,” he added.

Pangasinan will serve as the pilot for the next phase, marking a shift from limited distribution to full provincial coverage. 

Once implemented, all eligible middle-income and lower-income households in the province will be able to purchase rice at P20 per kilo.

“By January, all qualified households in Pangasinan should already have access. This is a massive rollout,” he said.

Following Pangasinan, the DA plans to expand the program to three cities in the Visayas and Mindanao—including Davao City—and six additional provinces between January and February. 

The January–February expansion is projected to cover around 780,000 households, or approximately 3.2 million Filipinos.

Purchase limits will remain in place to manage supply. Senior citizens will continue to be allowed up to 30 kilos per month, while other beneficiaries will be capped at 10 kilos.

Published Date: January 2, 2026