The line snaked longer than usual under the December sun. Elisa Valencia, 62, had already been waiting for hours at the Kadiwa store in Quezon City, arriving before 8 a.m. for the chance to buy rice at just P20 per kilo. Deliveries were delayed, but she refused to leave – the potential savings were too significant to ignore, even after a journey of five rides from Novaliches.
For Ms. Valencia, a qualified recipient of the government’s “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” program, the wait represented more than just affordable rice. It was a lifeline. She knew the 30-kilo monthly allowance wouldn’t fully feed her household of eight, but it would ease the growing strain of rising food costs, freeing up precious funds for other necessities.
The program aims to support nearly two million vulnerable Filipinos – senior citizens, single parents, those with disabilities, and low-wage earners – offering a crucial buffer against inflation. Ms. Valencia explained, “It’s better to endure the wait than spend more on transportation. At least we save on rice.” Her words echoed the hope of countless families struggling to make ends meet.
President Marcos Jr. campaigned on a promise to lower rice prices to P20 per kilo, a pledge that resonated deeply with a nation grappling with food insecurity. In May 2024, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared that promise fulfilled with the program’s launch. But the reality outside Kadiwa stores painted a different picture.
Despite the launch, market prices remained stubbornly high, far exceeding the subsidized rate. For some observers, the P20 rice wasn’t a long-term solution, but a political maneuver. Jose Enrique Africa, of IBON Foundation, argued the subsidy masked deeper structural problems within the agricultural sector, delaying vital investments in increasing rice production.
“The political value to the administration far exceeds the impact on fixing food insecurity,” Africa stated. “This is a politically motivated and economically brittle move.” Former Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin Adriano echoed this sentiment, calling the program “obviously political” and unsustainable without a thorough economic study.
The program’s expansion, slated for 2026, is backed by a P23-billion budget – a significant sum, yet potentially insufficient. The plan aims to establish at least one P20 rice outlet in every city and municipality, serving 15 million households. This ambitious goal requires opening five new sites *daily*.
However, analysts question whether the funding can support such rapid expansion. Jayson Cainglet, of Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, estimated the actual subsidy cost at P18 per kilo, nearly matching the selling price. He detailed the complex costs of procurement, milling, and logistics, revealing the true price of P38 per kilo before the subsidy is applied.
The P23-billion budget, Africa calculated, would only provide 30 kilograms of rice per month to beneficiaries for just over two-and-a-half months. “Long enough for manufactured goodwill, but too short to improve family nutrition,” he warned. Even with optimistic projections, the program could only deliver 120 kilos of rice per household annually – barely enough to meet average consumption needs.
To truly achieve the DA’s targets for a full year, analysts estimate a budget of at least P108 billion – nearly a third of the entire agriculture sector’s budget. Adriano bluntly stated the scheme is unsustainable, pointing to the inherent losses and the nation’s tightening finances.
Concerns extend beyond funding. Administrative costs, logistical challenges, and the risk of corruption could further diminish the program’s impact. A 2012 World Bank study revealed that for every P1 of support reaching consumers, the government spent nearly P6.84 on administration – a stark illustration of inefficiency.
While acknowledging the urgent need for affordable rice, experts emphasize the limitations of short-term subsidies. Africa stressed the importance of “meaningful production-side interventions” – investments in infrastructure, research, and development to boost agricultural productivity. Adriano agreed, advocating for irrigation, farm-to-market roads, and post-harvest facilities.
The DA plans to ramp up infrastructure projects, taking over the construction of farm-to-market roads. A P33-billion allocation has been approved, a significant increase, but still falling short of the estimated P200-300 billion needed for substantial, lasting improvements in farm productivity.
For Ms. Valencia and millions like her, the subsidized rice offers a temporary reprieve. But she hopes for more – not just cheaper rice, but broader relief and a lasting solution to the rising cost of food. “I hope rice prices outside Kadiwa go down too,” she said, a sentiment that encapsulates the enduring hope for a more food-secure future.
