LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (January 13, 2026)— Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led the turnover to Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III, Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino, and provincial officials to roll-out and marking the formal expansion of the P20-a-kilo rice program that aims to reach as many as 60 million vulnerable Filipinos by year-end.

In Pangasinan alone, about 177,000 families—around 708,000 Filipinos–are expected to gain access to the subsidized rice. The program targets senior citizens, indigents, farmers, fishers, persons with disabilities, solo parents, minimum wage earners, farmers and fisherfolk—groups that feel price spikes first and hardest.

Before January ends, the DA plans to expand the program to Nueva Ecija, and Bohol, as well as Zamboanga City and Davao City—areas chosen for either high rice output or heavy consumer demand. ### (Photos by Gian Carlo Luague, DA-AFID)