MANILA, Philippines– President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday that his administration will continue the P20 per kilogram rice program until the end of his term in 2028.
The announcement came during a press briefing at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Marcos addressed public skepticism over the program’s sustainability, stating that critics are “entitled to their opinions,” but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining affordable rice prices for Filipino consumers.
“The program will continue,” Marcos said, emphasizing its role in ensuring food security and easing the burden of high living costs on low-income households.
The P20 per kilogram rice initiative, introduced under Marcos’s administration, targets economically vulnerable sectors and is part of a broader strategy to improve agricultural productivity and stabilize the local food supply.
Marcos highlighted the importance of working with farmers and stakeholders to ensure the long-term viability of the program. He added that the government continues to monitor its implementation and is developing mechanisms to maintain supply and manage costs.
The government is currently collaborating with agricultural experts and economists to create a sustainable framework for the initiative, amid concerns from fiscal policy analysts over its long-term impact on national resources.
Despite the criticism, the administration insists that with strategic planning and proper resource allocation, the rice program can be sustained until 2028.