THE City Government of Bacolod will start selling rice at P20 per kilo in identified retailing areas in the city next week.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said they are only completing the program of works or documentary requirements for the purchase of rice to be sold at P20 per kilo.
He said the rice will most likely be available at the Bacolod Government Center (BCGC) and selected barangays, particularly the larger ones. He added that under the program, each family will be allowed 10 kilos per week, with priority given to indigent families since it is still experimental.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier announced the pilot launch of P20 per kilo of rice in the Visayas as one of the campaign promises of President Ferdinand “Bongong” Marcos Jr. during the 2022 presidential race.
In his letter to Benitez dated April 25, 2025, Jose Albert Barrogo, DA-6 officer-in-charge, said the P20 Rice Project will be initially implemented in targeted communities and will further be expanded nationwide. It shall be carried out alongside the DA's ongoing measures in response to the Food Security Emergency on Rice.
The Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), as the implementing arm of the DA for the sale of rice to the LGUs, will procure rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) at a price of P33 per kilo and sell the same to the Local Government Units (LGUs) at a subsidized rate of P26.50 per kilo.
Consequently, the LGUs will resell the rice to their respective constituents at a subsidized rate of P20 per kilo. The subsidy of at least P13 per kilo will be equally shouldered by the FTI and the LGU concerned, Barrogo added.
Benitez said they will further inquire with DA about the mechanics for the selling of rice.
He said the excess of P20 will be subsidized by the local government unit (LGU) and the National Government, which is P6.50 each.
He added that the sale of rice will be led by the City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (CCLDO).
The mayor noted that as of April 24, 2025, the existing rice inventory of the NFA Bacolod in 50-kilogram bags is 5,880.
“We will ensure first that it’s an edible rice and good for human consumption,” Benitez said.
It’s the target of DA to implement the P20 per kilo of rice until February 2026 but Marcos wants it to last until the end of his term in June 2028. (MAP)