By By Juliane Judilla
Long queues, limited supplies and a temporary suspension of sales have raised questions about the implementation of the Marcos administration’s ₱20-per-kilo rice program in Aklan, prompting farmers’ groups to call for greater government support for local rice production over continued reliance on imports.
Residents gathered at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Barangay Linabuan Sur, Banga, on October 16, 2026, to avail themselves of the “Benteng Bigas Meron na Para sa Magsasaka” initiative under the administration’s P20 Rice Project.
The program seeks to make rice available at ₱20 per kilogram to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and solo parents through NFA warehouses and designated distribution sites nationwide.
But the rollout in Aklan left many residents frustrated. Only 200 individuals were allowed to purchase rice, while those seeking to buy the subsidized staple reportedly had to line up as early as 3 a.m. to register and obtain queue numbers.
From accounts from residents, some said they traveled from distant communities but were unable to buy rice because they arrived after the cutoff or because supplies ran out.
The difficulties were followed by an announcement on October 19 that sales of ₱20 rice in Aklan would be temporarily suspended due to insufficient supply, according to the NFA and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI).
“Abaw alas 3 it aga aga. Hay paalin ro halin sa mga maeayo nga banwa?” one resident asked, airing their comcern in a Facebook post by the FTI.
(3 a.m. is [too] early. What about those who come from faraway towns?)
“Gapueaw gali kami kara. Ala 1 hay bugtaw eon ag alas 2 mapanaw. Pag abot una sa NFA hay ubos eon ro numero. Taw an it numero mga tawo agud indi magdueotdutan. Serbisyo nga patas owa it palakasan,” the comment added.
(We really have to struggle here. We wake up at 1:00 AM and leave at 2:00 AM. By the time we arrive at the NFA, the queue numbers are already running low. Provide fair service to everyone, without favoritism)
Dispute Over NFA Rice Stocks
The reported shortage has intensified questions over the availability of government rice stocks.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has said the NFA holds enough rice to cover approximately 75 days of consumption. The Federation of Free Farmers, however, disputed the assessment, arguing that much of the reported supply is held by private traders, millers and importers.
The federation said the NFA’s own available stocks could cover less than 10 days of consumption.
The conflicting figures highlight concerns over the country’s rice supply and its dependence on imports, particularly as the Philippines braces for climate-related threats, including a potential “Super El Niño,” as well as flooding and other natural disasters.
The Philippines has been identified as the world’s leading rice importer and is reportedly set to import 200,000 metric tons of rice from the United States.
Data from the IBON Foundation also show that the country’s rice self-sufficiency ratio—the share of domestic rice requirements met through local production—fell from 90 percent in 1990 to 78.1 percent in 2025.
Farmers Call for Policy Changes
For farmers’ organizations, the difficulties encountered by residents in accessing subsidized rice reflect a deeper problem: the country’s dependence on imports amid declining domestic production.
Lucia Capaducio, chairperson of the Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras (PAMANGGAS), said the worsening climate and disaster crisis, including El Niño and flooding, has exposed what she described as the Marcos administration’s failure to adequately protect farmers and ensure a stable food supply.
Rather than relying on imported rice to keep prices low, Capaducio said the government should prioritize local agricultural production and repeal the Rice Tariffication Law, which farmers’ groups have criticized for its impact on domestic producers.
Danilo Ramos of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) echoed the call, arguing that the ₱20 rice program is not a sufficient long-term solution if the country continues to depend on imported supplies.
Ramos said the government should instead strengthen local production through agricultural subsidies and provide compensation to farmers whose livelihoods have been damaged by successive natural disasters.
He also called for a stronger role for the NFA in ensuring adequate rice supplies, helping stabilize prices and protecting the interests of both farmers and consumers.
Beyond the ₱20 Price Tag
The controversy in Aklan has brought renewed attention to the challenges of providing affordable rice while ensuring a stable domestic supply.
While subsidized rice programs aim to ease the burden on vulnerable households, limited access and supply interruptions can undermine their intended benefits.
For farmers’ groups, a more sustainable approach requires greater investment in local rice production, stronger support for disaster-affected farmers and an NFA with sufficient capacity to help stabilize supply and prices.
They argue that food security must go beyond offering cheaper rice: it must also ensure that Filipino farmers have the resources and support needed to produce enough for the country’s needs.
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(Photo by Brigada News FM Kalibo)
