Guimaras to Roll Out PHP20 Rice Program July 8

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Guimaras provincial government will roll out its PHP20-per-kilo rice program on July 8, aiming to provide affordable rice to at least 1,000 vulnerable and low-income households in the first phase.

Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Nava said the provincial government is holding consultations with local stakeholders to finalize the list of priority beneficiaries.

A ceremonial launch will be held at the Provincial Capitol, with actual distribution handled through local government units (LGUs) to ensure accessibility and orderly implementation.

“The provincial government will still manage the distribution across towns, but we will ask LGUs to assist with logistics,” Nava said.

The program stems from a memorandum of agreement signed in early June between the provincial government and Food Terminal, Inc. to source 5,000 bags of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).

The NFA Guimaras has already prepared 1,000 bags for the initial launch.

For the July 8 rollout, 200 bags (50 kilos each) will be repacked into 10-kilo bags for distribution to qualified households.

The province has earmarked PHP1.625 million to procure the initial rice supply.

The program targets up to 25,000 households, with each family eligible to receive a maximum of 10 kilos of rice.

Nava said Gov. Lucille Nava is also exploring additional funding support from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and other agencies to sustain the program in the coming months.

The initiative is part of the provincial government’s broader effort to address food insecurity and support the most affected sectors amid rising rice prices.