Iloilo Pushes Tripartite Subsidy for PHP20 Rice Program

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The provincial government of Iloilo is expediting efforts to roll out PHP20-per-kilo rice through a tripartite subsidy scheme.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently authorized Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to sign a memorandum of agreement with Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a government-owned and controlled corporation, to fast-track the distribution of subsidized rice.

Board Member June Mondejar said the agreement is meant to accelerate implementation of the rice subsidy program under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative.

Gov. Defensor requested MOA approval in an April 29 letter, citing the urgency of addressing rising food costs and persistent malnutrition in the province.

Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dennis Ventilacion explained that the market cost of rice is PHP33 per kilo, but the price will be reduced under a tripartite subsidy model.

Under the agreement, FTI will subsidize PHP20 per kilo, while the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture will each contribute PHP6.50.

Ventilacion said the provincial government’s share will come from the “Donation Item” in the Office of the Governor’s budget.

According to the Provincial Health Office, priority will be given to households with undernourished children, particularly those identified as underweight, wasted, or stunted under the 2024 Operation Timbang data.

The PHO reported that 11,776 undernourished children have been identified across Iloilo.

Each qualified household may receive up to 10 kilos of rice weekly for six months, subject to reevaluation for continued support.

“We will be simultaneously releasing AICS and AKAP to these beneficiaries, and they will be eligible to buy this discounted rice,” Ventilacion said.