THE City Government of Bacolod will provide additional outlets for the selling of rice at P20 per kilo within this week.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he already talked with mayor-elect and Congressman Greg Gasataya and Secretary to the Mayor Marty Go to open more outlets for the selling of the P20 per kilo of rice.
“This week, we will open more outlets in Barangays Sum-ag, Handumanan and Granada public markets, and other barangays so that everybody can avail the affordable rice program,” Benitez said.
On June 5, 2025, the City Government launched the selling of rice at P20 per kilo at Burgos Public Market, Central Public Market and Libertad Public Market.
The event was witnessed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr., who assured a good quality of rice that retailed at P20.
The sale of rice was led by the City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office.
Benitez said the city purchased 5,880 bags of rice with a total cost of P7.9 million, and they are also planning to purchase more supplies for the people of Bacolod.
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 Marcos during the 2022 presidential race.
The Food Terminal Inc., as the implementing arm of the DA for the sale of rice to the local government units, will procure rice from the National Food Authority at a price of P33 per kilo and sell the same to the LGUs at a subsidized rate of P26.50 per kilo.
The excess of P20 will be subsidized by the LGU and the National Government, which is P6.50 each.
Benitez said subsidy of the National Government to the city will last until December 2025, and by 2026, the national government will take over the program.
He said it’s the commitment of the National Government to continue selling rice at P20 per kilo until P2028. (MAP)