PHP8 Million Allocated for PHP20 Rice Program in Bacolod

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez announced Monday that the city government has allocated PHP8 million for the implementation of the national government’s PHP20 per kilo rice program in Bacolod.

In a press briefing, Benitez said the program will be launched on Thursday, June 5, with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

“Everybody is looking forward to it,” the mayor said.

He noted that inflation, driven largely by rising food prices, remains a concern for the city.

“We need to make sure that it is stabilized and we monitor that this will not cause burden to the constituents,” he said.

“That’s the reason why we are really pushing for it.”

Benitez said the latest inventory from the National Food Authority (NFA) showed about 9,000 sacks of rice are available in the warehouse.

“We’re taking all of it,” he added.

He said the city will follow national guidelines in implementing the program, but he also plans to suggest additional methods for distribution.

The rice will be available in selected barangays through a clustering system, as well as in public markets.

Distribution will be on a first come, first served basis.

“This is a national program,” Benitez said.

“As long as the national program is in place and will continue to offer the rice program, the local government unit will also continue to implement it.”

The city government had earlier planned to launch a local rice subsidy program priced at PHP33 per kilo, with a funding allocation of PHP13.2 million.

However, Bacolod shifted its focus to support the national government’s PHP20 rice initiative instead.

Under the revised arrangement, rice will be sourced from the NFA through Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a government-owned and controlled corporation.

Both FTI and the city government will equally shoulder the subsidy cost.

Benitez said the program will continue as long as rice stocks remain available, though implementation could change once the new administration takes over.

Benitez will transfer his duties to Bacolod lone district Rep. and Mayor-elect Greg Gasataya by June 28.

Gasataya’s congressional seat will be succeeded by Benitez after they swapped positions and won in the May 2025 midterm elections.