5 days ago
Marcos admin's 'Rice-for-All' gets P10B under NEP
To ensure rice security, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that the ''The Rice for All Program'' of the Department of Agriculture was allocated with P10 billion under the National Expenditure Program.
The said program includes the Benteng Bigas Meron Na project of the administration, which allows the selling of P20 per kilo of rice, especially to the vulnerable sector.
The P10 billion budget seeks to expand access to affordable rice from both importers and local traders at public markets and KADIWA sites, Marcos said in his budget message.
Under the NEP, the DA's National Rice Program (NRP) also had an increased budget of P29.9 billion, up by 37.8 percent from the P21.7 billion budget in 2025.
Through the NRP, the DA will provide fertilizers through its Fertilizer Assistance Program with quality inbred and hybrid rice seeds that will help local farmers boost their crop yields.
Moreover, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) will be allotted P30 billion to fund the modernization of farm machinery and equipment; development of rice seeds; expansion of credit assistance; and provision of rice extension service, among others.
The Buffer Stocking Program, on the other hand, will be allocated P11.2 billion for the procurement of 300,000 metric tons of palay, which will be used during crises, such as emergencies and disasters.
A total of P256.5 billion will be used to strengthen the Agriculture sector in 2026, the President said.
Of this amount, P153.9 billion will finance the DA and its attached agencies; P45.1 billion for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and P17.4 billion for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), among others. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
