SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday expressed full support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s P29 Rice Program, designed to provide affordable rice to Filipino families amid rising global food prices and supply chain disruptions.
“The P29 Rice Program demonstrates President Marcos’ dedication to tackling inflation and enhancing food security,” Speaker Romualdez said. “Offering rice at P29 per kilo to our most vulnerable citizens is a vital step in reducing hunger and improving the quality of life for millions of Filipinos.”
The program, launching its large-scale trial on Friday, will operate in 10 locations across Metro Manila and Bulacan. It offers rice at P29 per kilogram to vulnerable groups, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents.
“This initiative ensures that affordable rice reaches those who need it most,” Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, pointed out.
He said the government will be gathering vital data during the trial to ensure a smooth nationwide rollout, with the ultimate goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2028.
Beneficiaries can purchase the subsidized rice every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with a limit of 10 kilos per household each month. Each trial site is expected to support around 60,000 households monthly.
“Government agencies are uniting to prevent misuse and guarantee that the program effectively reaches its intended recipients,” Speaker Romualdez explained.
“Through collaboration with local government units and barangays, the government will ensure fair and efficient distribution,” he added.
Looking forward, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the plans to expand the program nationwide.
“In the coming months, the government aims to double the number of distribution sites and extend this initiative to the Visayas and Mindanao, ultimately reaching 6.9 million families across the country,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez, known as “Mr. Rice” for his nationwide rice distribution initiative, also highlighted the “rice-for-all” program, which aims to provide rice at a lower price to the general public.
“This initiative is a key component of the government’s comprehensive strategy to combat inflation and ensure food security for all Filipinos,” he noted.
“These programs reflect President Marcos’ strategic vision and dedication to the well-being of our people. Together, we are making significant strides towards a future where every Filipino has access to affordable, nutritious food,” he added.
Last June 24, Speaker Romualdez and other House leaders met with Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM), securing assurances that commercial rice prices would drop to as low as P42 per kilo by July, following President Marcos’ executive order reducing rice import tariffs.
Speaker Romualdez said the reduction of the tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent, as directed by President Marcos, will greatly benefit our consumers and make quality rice more affordable.
During the meeting with PRISM founders Rowena Sadicon and Orly Manuntag, House leaders discussed the positive impacts of the tariff reduction.
Manuntag, also representing the Grain Retailers Confederation of the Philippines, said the savings from the tariff reduction would be passed on to consumers, lowering rice prices to between P42 and P46 per kilo.
“This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for the common good,” Speaker Romualdez emphasized.
He continued, “We are taking a whole-of-nation approach to address the challenges in our rice industry, ensuring that the benefits of these policy changes reach every Filipino household.”
Speaker Romualdez also assured local farmers of the government’s continued support to improve their productivity and protect their interests amid the tariff reductions.
He noted the availability of around P22 billion under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to support local rice production.
“Through the P29 Project and other market-stabilizing programs, we are not only making rice more affordable but also ensuring that our farmers receive the necessary support to thrive,” Speaker Romualdez stressed. “This is a comprehensive effort to enhance our food security and uplift the lives of all Filipinos.”
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