MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that it is coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on its plans to distribute rice instead of cash to poor Filipinos.
According to DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro, once the plan is implemented, the government can lower rice demand by 20 percent.
READ: Rice instead of cash for 4Ps recipients? Marcos contemplates – DA exec
However, the official said that the agency is still working out challenges of rice supply stabilization.
“The challenge is not the price of rice but more of stabilizing supply,” Navarro said on Tuesday.
The DA brought up the idea of distributing rice in the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps on Tuesday and said that President Bongbong Marcos is also considering the proposal.
The DSWD also has expressed support for the DA’s proposal.
The DA likewise said that in 2023, the country harvested 20.06 million metric tons of rice, and imported 3.5 million metric tons of rice, which is a decrease from the 3.8 million metric tons import volume in 2022.
READ: DSWD welcomes proposal on distributing rice instead of cash aid