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Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel is open to kick off the pilot run of its ₱20-per-kilo program after the 2025 midterm elections, citing complications with the 10-day spending ban.
Last week, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a memorandum order to exempt the DA’s “Bente Bigas Mo” program from the election spending ban.
As cited in the Omnibus Election Code, the disbursement of public funds is prohibited 45 days before a regular election.
The DA has set aside ₱5 billion for the program’s pilot, with the potential to rise to ₱12 billion based on the demand of the market and procurement of participating local government units (LGUs).
The same order noted that LGUs should still seek exemption from the Comelec regarding the subsidy rate for the ₱20 rice.
With the current market price of rice standing at ₱33, the DA—through the Food Terminal Inc.—and a participating LGU will split the gap to reach the ₱20 rice, shouldering ₱6.5 each.
The program’s pilot in the Visayas region is set to kick off in Cebu on Thursday, May 1, while the rollout in Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stores will commence the following day.
According to Laurel, the Cebu provincial government has yet to receive approval from Comelec to proceed with the selling of rice.
However, since selling in KNP stores was given the thumbs up, the Thursday launch will only be directed to KNP stores in the province.
“The Kadiwa is allowed on May 1, but May 2 to 12 mukhang hindi kami (it looks like we’re not) allowed, so we will go ahead with the launch of ₱20 [rice] in Kadiwa tomorrow in Cebu,” Laurel told reporters.
According to Comelec, chief executives of LGUs—who are concurrently candidates—may face possible disqualification from the elections if they fail to ask for an exemption for the rice initiative.
Based on reports, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia has suggested that the selling of ₱20 rice could be moved after May 12 to prevent potential politicking.
With these complexities, Laurel said the agency could target May 13 to start the program’s pilot.
“Sayang na made-delay yung move out namin. Siyempre ma-delay din yung pagbili ng mamamayan natin ng ₱20 na bigas,” he added.
(It's a shame that our move-out will be delayed. Of course, that also delays our citizens' purchase of the ₱20 rice.)
