With record-high palay harvests and improved production, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said selling rice at P20 per kilo in the market is feasible and sustainable.

In the second episode of his official podcast aired on Wednesday, Marcos said the country achieved its highest palay output in history in 2023. The record-high palay production was surpassed in 2024, with projections of even higher yields in 2025.

“Since our production is already going up, bababa ang cost of production. Since bababa ang cost of production, ‘di ang pagbenta kung bibili ang NFA (National Food Authority)… pababa nang pababa,” Marcos said.

“That’s why I’m so confident masabi sustainable,” the President said, referring to the administration’s Benteng Bigas Meron Na initiative that sells P20 per kilo rice in Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets to vulnerable sectors.

Focusing on production-side reforms- including farm machinery support, irrigation initiatives, and research on planting techniques- has ramped up rice production.

The increased rice production would eventually lessen the need for government subsidy to keep rice available at P20 per kilo, said Marcos.

“Pagka-gumanda nang husto ‘yung production side natin, maibababa natin, wala nang subsidy,” the President said, pointing out that higher yields directly lead to lower retail prices.

Marcos acknowledged the concern of farmers on the disparity in the buying prices of the NFA and private traders.

While the NFA currently purchases palay at P17 to P18 per kilo, private traders reportedly offer only P11 to P12.

“We have to support (the farmers). Kahit ano pa ang mangyari sa presyo ng bigas na ipinagbibili natin sa mga palengke, hindi natin ibababa ang buying price ng NFA. Never bababa ‘yan,” Marcos stressed.

The President said the approach ensures a balanced rice ecosystem, where consumers benefit from affordable rice and farmers are assured of fair compensation.

Marcos said the goal of bringing down rice market prices to PhP20 per kilo is achievable within his term, recalling that the country used to export rice.

“If we did it before, why not do it again?” the President said. Presidential News Desk