Photo credit: Congress PH

Here’s a fresh take on bringing ayuda straight to the dinner table—Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is throwing his full support behind the government’s move to make ₱20-per-kilo rice available across the country. But instead of just handing out cash, he’s eyeing something more direct: rice subsidies.

“Mas mainam kung bigas ang mismong naipapamigay—nakakabusog, nakakatulong, at tiyak ang patutunguhan,” Romualdez said on Friday, emphasizing how this approach directly tackles hunger while ensuring the government’s support ends up where it’s truly needed—on Filipino plates.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently kicked things off by piloting the ₱20 rice program in the Visayas, where eligible families can purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per week at the subsidized rate. Even President Marcos chimed in via social media, saying, “20 pesos per kilo rice. That was the promise—and today, we begin to make it real.”

Romualdez pointed to Camiguin as a success story worth replicating. There, Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo and Congressman Jurdin Jesus Romualdo teamed up with the DSWD and local rice retailers to slash rice prices by 50%—a big win for local families.

“If it works in Camiguin, it can work across the country,” the Speaker said, highlighting how this kind of LGU-national government teamwork can make real change happen on the ground.

Here’s how the model works: low-income families get ID cards that let them buy rice at discounted prices from accredited retailers. The DA, LGUs, and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) pitch in to shoulder the price gap, ensuring the program remains both practical and sustainable.

Romualdez added that this strategy is not only effective but aligns with President Marcos Jr.’s food security push. He assured the public that the House of Representatives is ready to support the program in the upcoming 2026 national budget.

His message to local governments? Take a good look at this model and consider rolling it out in your own communities. “Kami sa Kongreso ay handang tumulong sa pagbuo ng pondo at patakaran para mailunsad ito sa inyong mga komunidad,” he said.

With rising costs and food insecurity continuing to challenge many families, Romualdez says it’s time to shift the focus. “This is not just a subsidy—it’s a signal that we are serious about food on every Filipino’s table.”

Because when rice is affordable, the nation can breathe easier.
“Kapag ang bigas ay mura, ang bayan ay panatag.”