President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. clarified on Monday why it took time to deliver on his campaign promise of P20-per-kilo rice, pointing to the need for stronger support systems for Filipino farmers.
Speaking at the One Cebu rally, Marcos explained that the government had to first invest in machinery and facilities for local agriculture. “We had to fix how we assist our farmers,” he said. “That includes giving them the right tools and setting up processing centers.”
He added that these efforts began as soon as his administration took office, with progress now being made steadily. Changes to laws governing the National Food Authority (NFA) are also part of the strategy to make low-cost rice a reality.
The president, who also took on the role of Agriculture Secretary early in his term, said he now believes the country’s agricultural sector is more resilient. With that, he proposed rolling out the P20/kilo rice initiative in the Visayas region.
However, the Department of Agriculture recently paused the sale of P20 rice in Cebu, citing the Commission on Elections’ 10-day ban on distributing aid during the election season.
Marcos continues to emphasize that achieving low rice prices depends on fixing the agricultural value chain—from production to market delivery—ensuring every step adds value for both farmers and consumers.