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Advocates Philippines
P20 Rice? Speaker Romualdez Says It's Not Just A Dream - It's Doable And Sustainable
Photo credit: DA
Looks like that long-awaited promise of affordable rice is getting closer to reality.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is standing firmly behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s P20-per-kilo rice initiative, saying it’s not just doable—it’s sustainable. This bold claim came as he visited Sariaya, Quezon, where he helped inaugurate a solar-powered irrigation project that’s now helping local farmers cut costs and boost harvests.
“This solar irrigation project in Sariaya is a big deal,” Romualdez told reporters. “What we’re seeing now in the Visayas can definitely be replicated here and throughout Luzon.”
The project, spearheaded by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), covers 50 hectares and supports 33 farmer-families. The real kicker? Farmers are now saving around ₱80,000 per cropping season by switching from diesel pumps to solar-powered ones. That’s huge.
“Libre ang patubig, solar na, wala nang gastos sa krudo. Syempre, lalaki ang ani,” Romualdez added, emphasizing how the initiative not only lowers expenses but also increases productivity.
He said that in areas where these solar systems are up and running, farmers are now able to plant twice a year instead of just once. That means more rice, more income, and yes—cheaper prices for consumers.
And about that magic number—P20 per kilo?
“It’s not just a slogan. It can happen. With these kinds of projects nationwide, the rollout of P20 rice can really be sustained,” Romualdez said confidently.
The Speaker also revealed that more than a thousand solar irrigation systems have already been completed, with another thousand in the pipeline for rollout across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
After the official turnover of the irrigation system, Romualdez joined farmers and local officials for a simple feast, celebrating not just the project but the brighter future it promises.
With the government doubling down on modern, sustainable support for agriculture, the goal of making affordable rice accessible to all doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore. Could P20 rice really be just around the corner? If things go as planned, we might just be lining up for it sooner than we think.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is standing firmly behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s P20-per-kilo rice initiative, saying it’s not just doable—it’s sustainable. This bold claim came as he visited Sariaya, Quezon, where he helped inaugurate a solar-powered irrigation project that’s now helping local farmers cut costs and boost harvests.
“This solar irrigation project in Sariaya is a big deal,” Romualdez told reporters. “What we’re seeing now in the Visayas can definitely be replicated here and throughout Luzon.”
The project, spearheaded by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), covers 50 hectares and supports 33 farmer-families. The real kicker? Farmers are now saving around ₱80,000 per cropping season by switching from diesel pumps to solar-powered ones. That’s huge.
“Libre ang patubig, solar na, wala nang gastos sa krudo. Syempre, lalaki ang ani,” Romualdez added, emphasizing how the initiative not only lowers expenses but also increases productivity.
He said that in areas where these solar systems are up and running, farmers are now able to plant twice a year instead of just once. That means more rice, more income, and yes—cheaper prices for consumers.
And about that magic number—P20 per kilo?
“It’s not just a slogan. It can happen. With these kinds of projects nationwide, the rollout of P20 rice can really be sustained,” Romualdez said confidently.
The Speaker also revealed that more than a thousand solar irrigation systems have already been completed, with another thousand in the pipeline for rollout across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
After the official turnover of the irrigation system, Romualdez joined farmers and local officials for a simple feast, celebrating not just the project but the brighter future it promises.
With the government doubling down on modern, sustainable support for agriculture, the goal of making affordable rice accessible to all doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore. Could P20 rice really be just around the corner? If things go as planned, we might just be lining up for it sooner than we think.
May 1, 2025
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