This early, election promises are flying everywhere with rice being eyed at P36 per kg. by 2025– a midterm election period by the Department of Agriculture– when it could not even assure prices of P40/k this time in wet markets and other outlets.
As former DA Secretary Leonardo Montemayor says, P40/kilo rice is just a “gimmick.”
Montemayor, who chairs the Federation of Free Farmers, criticized the government's P40 per kilo rice initiative as just a “panakip-butas” or band-aid solution and a publicity stunt.
Montemayor is holding accountable the administration’s economic managers—specifically the Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the Tariff Commission—for the failure of Executive Order No. 62, reducing rice tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent, since August.
He argued that the policy not only slashed government revenues but also forced the government to allocate an additional ₱5 billion in subsidies for the ₱40-per-kilo rice.
“Napakalaki ng economic damage na ginawa nila (economic managers) sa kahera ng ating gobyerno, at least ₱12 bilyon, dahil mali ang kanilang rekomendasyon sa problema ng mahal na bigas,” Montemayor was quoted by Milyonaryo.com.ph .
He added that Executive Order No. 62 had failed to achieve its goal of reducing rice prices by ₱6-₱7.
While Montemayor did not blame Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel directly, he noted that Laurel had little choice but to defend the “costly gimmick” and “publicity stunt.”
Montemayor suggested that instead of spending an additional ₱5 billion on the limited ₱40-per-kilo rice program and sacrificing significant tariff revenues, the government should focus on investigating the rice supply chain to identify root causes and implement long-term solutions.
Tiu Laurel reaffirmed his commitment to lowering rice prices, saying that the Department of Agriculture would intervene if rice prices remained high.
More affordable rice
The DA meantime announced a plan to offer affordable rice to Filipinos in 2025 of P36 per kg.
Through two new rice variants– “Sulit Rice” and “Nutri Rice” which would be released in 2025 as part of government's food security enhancement– the DA said more Filipinos can now have access to cheaper rice varieties.
DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra told a Saturday News Forum that the Sulit Rice will retail at P36/kg while Nutri Rice will be priced at P38 per kilogram.
“These are our planned New Yer offering,” she said while disclosing the DA strategy to roll out new options at the beginning of the year.
Sulit Rice, a white variety described as “super broken,” targets budget-conscious consumers.
Nutri Rice, a “brownish” variety, is aimed at health-conscious buyers seeking affordable nutrition. Both varieties will complement the existing P40-per-kilogram mixed well-milled rice available through Kadiwa stores.
Kadiwa ng Pangulo
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo’s (KNP) Rice for All program continues to deliver rice at prices below market rates, supporting households across the country.
While lower prices aim to ease household burdens, Guevarra noted the importance of maintaining equilibrium to protect farmers’ livelihoods.
“If prices drop too low, it might discourage farmers from planting more rice due to reduced earnings,” she said.
The DA seeks to prevent a ripple effect that could destabilize agricultural production.
The DA is ramping up efforts to increase access to affordable rice by expanding its network of Kadiwa kiosks.
Current locations include key markets and transit hubs such as Kamuning Market, Malabon Central Market, MRT-North Avenue Station, and LRT-Monumento Station.
Plans are underway to establish kiosks in additional high-traffic areas, including Balintawak (Cloverleaf) Market, Maypajo Public Market, Cartimar Market, Grace Market in Pateros, and Paco Market.
This expansion aligns with the government’s push to bring affordable staples closer to consumers.
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