MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will roll out a new system today to simplify tracking of those enrolled in the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program.
The registry system is expected to provide a centralized and updated masterlist of beneficiaries under the “P20 Benteng Bigas” program, helping the DA streamline support and ensure rice farmers receive timely assistance.
The program, which started in 13 provinces this year, has been extended to all 81 provinces nationwide, according to the DA.
The program covers a wider range of groups, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipients, farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage earners and transport workers.
President Marcos has directed that the P20 rice initiative continue until the end of his term in June 2028, with the goal of reaching 15 million Filipino families.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Statistics Authority said the country’s total rice stocks stood at 2.35 million metric tons as of Oct. 1, up 3.2 percent from 2.28 million MT in the same month last year.
On a month-on-month basis, rice inventories grew 13.6 percent from 2.07 million MT in September.
The DA aims to finish building 27 new rice processing facilities before the end of the year as part of efforts to modernize the country’s postharvest systems and improve its rice supply chain.
These facilities are under the mechanization program of the P30-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
The new facilities are intended to ease the shortage of drying and milling infrastructure that has long affected small rice farmers.