Opinion Piece: Poor Timing, Rice Not Delivered on Time

Rewritten Article:

It's a toss-up whether the P20/kg rice promised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will indeed be disbursed, as he mentioned during his term, but it's not a sure thing just yet. During the last week, Marcos made headlines when he visited Cebu and held a press conference at the Capitol to announce the imminent implementation of the much-anticipated rice subsidy program.

Reactions have been a mixed bag, with Duterte diehards and Liberal Party supporters voicing disagreement, while netizens have been vocal in their criticisms. These criticisms, however, are common in election seasons when the support for administration-backed candidates may be questioned.

With the election still ongoing, some wonder why benefits couldn't be distributed earlier? Shouldn't candidates vying for support offer aid now, instead of waiting for the winners to take office? With only 10 families as reported beneficiaries per week, the program's scale is indeed limited.

Despite the criticism, local government units have expressed concern over the perceived negative public reaction. The Duterte supporters have already called for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte in Congress, and there are petitions circulating to call on President Rodrigo Duterte to rescind his decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.

While social media sentiment remains negative, many netizen comments are critical.

It's not ideal that the aid comes late. Shouldn't candidates be offering assistance to struggling families as soon as possible? In fact, shouldn't they even take proactive measures before the election? A setback in the aid delivery could further erode public confidence.

Even if people are questioning the aid's timing, many lower-income households are already feeling the pinch of rising food prices. While rice inflation has declined significantly, from a growth of 14.5% in February 2024 to -7.7% in March 2025, the steepest decline since 2020, it's still considered high in absolute terms[2]. To address affordability concerns, the government has reduced tariffs and implemented a Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of PHP 49/kg for imported rice[2].

Governor Gwen Garcia has expressed concern that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has yet to grant approval for the temporary price stabilization measures[4]. With the election ban still in effect, it's uncertain whether the program can proceed before December.

Many families are struggling to make ends meet and rely on subsidized rice for their daily meals. Some households, unfortunately, cannot even afford the subsidized rice, let alone pricey alternatives like patis or fish[1].

If the government wants to quell dissent, it must act swiftly to ensure that struggling families receive the aid they need. Netizens will undoubtedly continue to be vocal, but it's the longer-term sustainability of measures like the rice subsidy program that will ultimately determine their success.

The stakes are high, and the government must deliver on its promises to address the needs of struggling households.

Enrichment Data Integrated: The implementation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s rice subsidy program, including measures like tariff reductions, emergency food security declarations, and direct price controls, provides temporary relief to struggling households but raises questions about long-term sustainability given the reliance on imports. Rice inflation contracted to -7.7% in March 2025, driven by Executive Order No. 62 (tariff cuts to 15%) and a revised Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of ₱49/kg for imported rice[2]. Subsidized rice at ₱20/kg was introduced to select Kadiwa centers[3][5], but the scale of distribution remains unclear.

Criticisms towards President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s rice subsidy program, despite its promised implementation, have been prevalent among netizens and political supporters alike.
The election season has further intensified the questioning of support for administration-backed candidates, with some asking why benefits couldn't be distributed earlier.
Local government units, despite concerns over public reaction, have expressed support for the rice subsidy program, while Duterte supporters have called for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte in Congress.
Despite the criticisms, many lower-income households are struggling with rising food prices, with rice inflation declining significantly but still considered high in absolute terms.
To address affordability concerns, the government has reduced tariffs, implemented a Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for imported rice, and announced subsidized rice at ₱20/kg for select Kadiwa centers.
The long-term sustainability of the rice subsidy program and its impact on the overall food security of struggling households are questions that require immediate attention from the government.
Policy and legislation, car accidents, fires, general news, crime and justice, war and conflicts, and other issues, aside from politics, continue to shape the country's administrative landscape.
If the government is serious about quelling dissent and addressing the needs of struggling households, it must act swiftly and consider implementing long-term policies that address food insecurity, such as agricultural reforms and local food production initiatives.