Subsidized rice priced at P20 per kilo will soon reach more communities as the Cebu City Government expands distribution through barangay-level rollouts and mobile caravans.
Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. announced the plan during a press conference on Tuesday, March 31, as the city scales up its “Benteng Bigas” initiative to improve access for more beneficiaries.
The program has so far reached around 1,000 individuals during its pilot phase.
Archival said the city will still consult with Food Terminal Inc. for the planned expansion.
During the test run, each beneficiary received rice packs equivalent to five kilos per set, allowing the city to assess logistics, demand, and distribution systems.
To sustain the rollout, the city government has requested an additional 3,000 sacks of rice to be sourced from National Food Authority stocks.
The supply will be distributed through established channels, including KADIWA centers and mobile caravans.
Officials said shifting to barangay-level distribution is expected to reduce congestion at centralized venues and improve access for vulnerable sectors, particularly those with limited mobility or resources to travel.
The P20 rice initiative forms part of Cebu City’s broader food security and social protection strategy targeting low-income and at-risk groups such as senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, farmers, fisherfolk, transport workers, and minimum wage earners.
Earlier, the city conducted a simultaneous rollout of subsidized rice distribution and social pension payouts across multiple barangays from March 30 to April 1, covering both the north and south districts through clustered schedules and designated venues.
Under the program, qualified beneficiaries may purchase up to 20 kilos of rice per family, subject to availability and verification procedures.
Local officials said standard government protocols remain in place, including beneficiary validation and coordination with national agencies, to ensure orderly distribution and proper allocation of limited stocks.
The expansion through barangay caravans is expected to continue in the coming weeks as additional supplies arrive, with the city government aiming to reach more communities and improve access to affordable staple food. (LLP)
Image: Cebu City News
