Bringing agricultural products at lower prices around the county.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the government’s Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! program, which sells rice for PHP20 per kilogram, had benefitted more than 12 million people across the Philippines, more than a year after it was launched in May 2025.
At present, around 15,000 to 20,000 metric tons of P20 rice every month is distributed, with the department aiming to double this to 40,000 metric tons monthly by December.
Over the past year, the rice distribution volume has reached 121,271 metric tons of rice, disclosed the DA, with the program having generated PHP2.4 billion in sales.
The said program is also available in 800 participating outlets nationwide, with the DA also looking to have 1,500 outlets by the end of the year.
“Ang target natin ay yung mga lower income lalo na ang mga PWD, 4Ps, single parents at seniors. Target natin is 15 million households,” the agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said.
Meanwhile, the KADIWA ng Pangulo (KNP) has also generated more than P4.4 billion in cumulative sales from July 2022 to July 20, 2026, which benefitted over 12 million consumers through 22,178 marketing activities nationwide — the bulk of the gains coming from the P20 rice program.
KADIWA has grown to 805 active Benteng Bigas selling sites, including 295 with regular selling schedules, while the P20 Rice Program has already been rolled out in 57 provinces. The broader KADIWA network now operates 827 regular outlets nationwide.
“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,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA also has accredited 187 KADIWA suppliers and consolidators that allows direct marketing opportunities for farmers, fisherfolk and agribusiness enterprises, while also reducing dependence on multiple layers of middlemen.
“Masayang-masaya ang farmers… Nakakatulong talaga sa kanilang kabuhayan,” Tiu Laurel also said ad hr share how the program has also created a reliable market for locally-produced palay.
OTHER MOVEMENTS IN THE SECTOR
On the other hand, with the El Niño phenomenon in the horizon, the DA assured the public that the country’s food supply remains stable. “Marami naman tayong supply, ample, walang cause for any alarm, we are food secure,” the Secretary noted.
In terms of long-term interventions, the DA has invested in solar-powered irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, agricultural credit through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), climate resilience programs for farmers and fisherfolk, and measures to prevent fish kills during extreme weather conditions.
The department is also accelerating infrastructure investments through public-private partnerships.
Within two years, there is a target of constructing 10,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, with the country also set to open the first three mega hatcheries to boost aquaculture production and improve the livelihood of fishing communities.
Moreover, is also pushing reforms to encourage greater investments in rice milling, drying, and storage facilities.
The agriculture chief likewise encouraged stakeholders to continue working with the government in improving the country’s food systems.
“Kung meron kayong gustong paratingin at mga ideas, it is very welcome and we have an open structure,” he said.
