Iloilo, 43 LGUs launch PHP 20 rice to fight hunger

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By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government has partnered with 43 local government units (LGUs) to implement the PHP 20-per-kilogram rice program designed to support farmers and combat malnutrition.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the signing of the memorandum of agreement with mayors from across the province on October 22 at Hotel del Rio in Iloilo City.

The initiative is part of Executive Order No. 040, Series of 2025, which implements the “SiPag at TiyaGa for MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas” convergence strategy for food and health security.

Defensor said the province views agriculture as the foundation of health and nutrition, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to end hunger and improve food access.

Under the agreement, the province allocated PHP 26.5 million to purchase 20,000 bags of rice for the 42 municipalities and Passi City.

LGUs will be responsible for selling, storing, and distributing the rice to identified beneficiaries.

Undernourished children under five years old identified through the provincial nutrition program may purchase up to 30 kilograms of rice, while extended beneficiaries are entitled to up to 10 kilograms.

Provincial Health Officer I and Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Maria Socorro Marcelo cited data from Operation Timbang Plus 2024, which shows that 11,776 children aged 0 to 59 months in the province suffer from wasting, stunting, or underweight conditions.

Following beneficiary validation, encoding, and cross-matching by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 7,738 eligible children will receive nutritional and financial assistance.

Marcelo said the program aims to reduce childhood malnutrition and build a healthier and more resilient generation of Ilonggos by improving access to affordable rice.

League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Iloilo Chapter President and Badiangan Mayor Suzette Mamon expressed full support for the initiative, pledging cooperation from all mayors.

Also present during the signing were DA VI Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Zarlina Cuello, DSWD VI Assistant Regional Director Katherine Joy Lamprea, Provincial Agriculture Office OIC Grace Basco, Provincial Treasurer Jean Maire Umadhay, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Rani Melvi Cuarte, and Public Information and Community Affairs Office head Jose Nereo Lujan.