NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Speaker Romualdez: P20 Rice Is Here - And It's Just The Beginning
Photo credit: Congress PH
Looks like President Marcos Jr. is making good on a major campaign promise—and Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez is all for it. Starting next week, rice will be sold at just ₱20 per kilo across Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas. For Speaker Romualdez, this is proof that the country is finally moving in the right direction.
“Turning aspiration into action,” is how he described it, praising the President’s move as a big win for Filipino families. The House Speaker called this rollout “the first big step” toward affordable rice for every household, and he’s hopeful that what starts in the Visayas will eventually reach every corner of the Philippines.
“This is just the beginning,” Romualdez said. “We’ll make overpriced rice a thing of the past.”
Last year, rice prices reached up to ₱60 per kilo in some markets. Now? Many consumers are already seeing prices dip to ₱35–₱39, and with this pilot launch, that dream ₱20 tag is finally within reach.
Romualdez also gave props to the local government units in the Visayas for teaming up with the national government to shoulder the subsidy, calling it “bayanihan economics in action.” For now, households will be limited to 10 kilos per week as the Department of Agriculture tests logistics like storage, shipping, and Kadiwa outlet distribution.
But Romualdez says this pilot isn’t a one-time thing. In fact, the House is gearing up for the long haul—with support for modernizing agriculture through better seeds, solar-powered irrigation, post-harvest facilities, and more. The goal? Not just cheaper rice today, but a strong, self-reliant farming sector for years to come.
He also hinted at upcoming legislation that could lock in funding and support for the program, especially if their party’s senatorial slate secures a strong showing in next year’s elections.
“We’ve got more laws to pass to keep this ₱20-rice program going strong,” Romualdez added.
So yes, ₱20 rice is no longer just a campaign promise—it’s starting to hit the shelves. And if things go as planned, it might just stick around.
“Turning aspiration into action,” is how he described it, praising the President’s move as a big win for Filipino families. The House Speaker called this rollout “the first big step” toward affordable rice for every household, and he’s hopeful that what starts in the Visayas will eventually reach every corner of the Philippines.
“This is just the beginning,” Romualdez said. “We’ll make overpriced rice a thing of the past.”
Last year, rice prices reached up to ₱60 per kilo in some markets. Now? Many consumers are already seeing prices dip to ₱35–₱39, and with this pilot launch, that dream ₱20 tag is finally within reach.
Romualdez also gave props to the local government units in the Visayas for teaming up with the national government to shoulder the subsidy, calling it “bayanihan economics in action.” For now, households will be limited to 10 kilos per week as the Department of Agriculture tests logistics like storage, shipping, and Kadiwa outlet distribution.
But Romualdez says this pilot isn’t a one-time thing. In fact, the House is gearing up for the long haul—with support for modernizing agriculture through better seeds, solar-powered irrigation, post-harvest facilities, and more. The goal? Not just cheaper rice today, but a strong, self-reliant farming sector for years to come.
He also hinted at upcoming legislation that could lock in funding and support for the program, especially if their party’s senatorial slate secures a strong showing in next year’s elections.
“We’ve got more laws to pass to keep this ₱20-rice program going strong,” Romualdez added.
So yes, ₱20 rice is no longer just a campaign promise—it’s starting to hit the shelves. And if things go as planned, it might just stick around.
Apr 24, 2025
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