By Kenneth Marcos 
BANTAY, ILOCOS SUR – For many farmers, every peso counts—especially when feeding their families. That’s why the recent launch of the P20 per kilo rice program in Ilocos Sur is being welcomed with relief and gratitude by local rice growers.
On select days, eligible farmers in the province can now buy high-quality rice at only P20 per kilogram at the National Food Authority (NFA) office in Bantay, Zone II, located along the National Highway. This is part of the government’s effort to provide affordable rice to the country’s agricultural frontliners.
How to Avail
To access the subsidized rice, farmers only need to present:
-
Their RSBSA ID (Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture) or RSBSA QR Code, and
-
Any valid government-issued ID.
The program targets registered farmers under the RSBSA to help ease their daily living expenses while they continue producing food for the nation.
Support for Farmers Amid Rising Costs
The P20 rice program aligns with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, aiming to deliver accessible and equitable services to the public. With inflation and farming costs on the rise, this initiative is a welcome support mechanism for small-scale farmers who often struggle to make ends meet.
The NFA emphasized that this service is exclusive to verified farmers, ensuring that assistance directly reaches those who need it most. Community members are encouraged to help spread the word to neighbors, friends, and relatives in the farming sector.
Strengthening Local Food Security
The P20 rice rollout is part of the government’s broader push to strengthen food security while showing appreciation to the country’s food producers. Programs like this also aim to lessen the burden on farmers, who are also consumers of the very rice they grow.
In the long term, the initiative supports the government’s goal of stabilizing rice prices, while promoting fair trade and reducing the influence of middlemen that often distort prices in local markets.
Call to Action
Local officials are urging all registered farmers in Ilocos Sur to avail of this opportunity and to keep their RSBSA profiles updated to ensure they continue receiving support from various national programs.
Through cooperation and continued public service, the government hopes to build a more resilient agriculture sector—one that values the contribution of Filipino farmers not only as producers, but as vital pillars of the nation.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News