FALSE: Marcos Jr.: ‘Successful’ launch of P20 rice program in Cebu, other provinces

CLAIM: In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded to the often-questioned campaign promise to lower the price of rice to ₱20 per kilo. He stated that his administration’s Benteng Bigas Meron Na program already proved it possible to make rice affordable for consumers without compromising the farmers’ income.

He claimed that the program was “successfully” launched in several provinces across the country, including the province of Cebu.

“At dahil sa ilalaan nating 113 bilyong piso upang palakasin ang mga programa ng DA (Department of Agriculture), ilulunsad na natin ito sa buong bansa sa pamamagitan ng daan-daang Kadiwa store at center sa iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan,” he said.  

RATING: MISLEADING

CONCLUSION: 

After only a day since its first rollout in Cebu, the National Food Authority’s (NFA) ₱20-per-kilo rice program was suspended by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The temporary suspension was implemented after it was considered a form of “ayuda,” or government aid, which is subject to election-period restrictions last May.

While presented as a relief for local consumers, farmers have suffered from the administration’s program as traders are using the cheaper rice as an excuse to bring down the price of palay.

Rice farmer Judie Mendoza called the palay prices as a major source of distress. “Nagpapaaral ako ng dalawang anak tas nagkautang ako sa bangko ngayon kasi ‘di ko naibenta yung palay ko,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

Moreover, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) described Marcos Jr.’s claim as a “gross distortion” of facts and stressed the following points:

• Retail rice prices have climbed to ₱44 per kilo and higher. The farmers’ group noted that prices have been increasing since the President took office.
• Local rice production is still stagnant even as rice imports are expected to reach a record 5.4 million metric tons in 2025.
• Government spending on rice has jumped from ₱7 billion to ₱32 billion, yet farmers in Bulacan earn just ₱55 a day during harvest.

The non-profit research organization, IBON Foundation, noted that the 0.2 percent growth in agriculture under President Marcos Jr. is far below the 1.2 percent seen under Duterte, the 2.1 percent under Aquino, and the historical average of 3.6 percent since 1947.

‘Success’ stalled?

Cebu province still has remaining rice stocks that have yet to be distributed in the next six months.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro vowed to continue the program under her provincial administration once the Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with the local governments are formalized.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said that the MOA from the Department of Agriculture, Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) was being reviewed.

A test run for the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program took place on July 31 at Plaza Sugbo, where 52 pilot participants from Cebu City and Talisay received subsidized rice.