DA expands P20-per-kilo rice rollout in Aklan

MANILA, Philippines — The government has expanded the rollout of the P20-per-kilo rice program in Aklan, aiming to bring relief to more vulnerable households and communities amid rising food prices.

The expanded rollout is expected to benefit up to 85,000 people including minimum wage earners, farmers, fisherfolk, senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The DA said that members of the transport sector and beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps may also avail themselves of the affordable rice.

First launched last year in Aklan, the rice program has benefited more than 22,000 households through close coordination between the provincial government and the state-owned Food Terminal Inc.

“This is not just about selling rice at P20 per kilo. It is about protecting Filipinos from high food costs while making sure our farmers are paid fairly,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.