Rice for All: Sugbo Merkadong Barato Expands to Cebu Under DA's P20/kilo Program
Rice Priced at PHP 20 per Kilogram Now Available in Cebu Province
Get ready to fill up your rice containers, Cebuanos! The much-anticipated P20-per-kilo rice is now available across Cebu Province, thanks to the Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB) program. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia announced the program's launch at the Capitol building on May 1, 2025, with an excited crowd in attendance.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) provided a public fund spending exemption for the SMB program to avoid allegations of politicizing the initiative. However, Local Government Units (LGUs) remain subject to the 10-day election spending ban from May 2 to 12, so proceed with caution. But fear not, as the initial rollout can continue, with subsequent distributions paused until after the elections to prevent political misuse.
During the launch, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Vice Gov. Hilario Davide III, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco joined Garcia for a food tasting of freshly cooked rice from the National Food Authority (NFA). Officially, the subsidized rice became available on May 1 at existing SMB facilities across the province, targeting vulnerable sectors and selected beneficiaries.
So far, at least 29 municipalities and component cities in the province have started selling the rice, with more expected to join. Some exciting locations include Minglanilla, Naga, Carcar City, Talisay City, and many more! Don't miss out on your chance to enjoy affordable rice.
It's essential to remember that this program is not a form of aid or "ayuda," but a sale of affordable rice, upholding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 2022 campaign promise. The program supports farmers by creating a consistent demand for their crops and ensuring a reliable buyer for each harvest season.
The governor emphasized that she had clarified the approved exemptions with Comelec Chairman Garcia. Rice for the SMB program will be supplied by the NFA through the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). An agreement was finalized with FTI president Joseph Lo for a continuous supply of NFA rice at P20 per kilo to towns and component cities in the province.
Garcia urged consumers to trust and support locally produced rice, saying, "We're creating a win-win for farmers, the government, and the public." Plans are in place to sustain the program until 2028, addressing funding, logistics, supply chain, and distribution challenges.
In light of the success of the SMB program in Cebu, other provinces may follow suit. While the DA decided to suspend the P20-per-kilo rice sales in Kadiwa centers during the election ban to avoid potential legal issues, provinces like Southern Leyte, Siquijor, Bohol, and Iloilo have already filed exemption requests to implement similar initiatives.
"Here in Cebu, under Sugbo Merkadong Barato, we can continue. Other governors can request exemptions directly to the Comelec," Garcia said, emphasizing the program's potential to expand across the Philippines. So keep your eyes peeled for future developments, and stay updated on the exciting world of affordable rice! 🍚
- Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), has extended the Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB) program to Iloilo, following the success in Cebu.
- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is currently reviewing exemption requests from Southern Leyte, Siquijor, Bohol, and Iloilo provinces to implement similar affordable rice programs during elections like the one in Cebu.
- The SMB program in Cebu, although initially paused during the election period to avoid political misuse, aims to sustain its operations until 2028, addressing funding, logistics, supply chain, and distribution challenges.
- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., during the SMB launch in Cebu, stressed the importance of consumers supporting locally produced rice, as the program supports farmers by creating a consistent demand for their crops.
- Vice Gov. Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, among other stakeholders, joined Governor Garcia during the food tasting of freshly cooked rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) at the SMB launch.
- The SMB program in Cebu, targeting vulnerable sectors and selected beneficiaries, expanded its reach to at least 29 municipalities and component cities, including Minglanilla, Naga, Carcar City, Talisay City, and many more.
