Kiko Pangilinan: ₱20/Kilo Rice Unrealistic Without Boosting Farmers’ Yields

ANGELES CITY — Senate hopeful Kiko Pangilinan warned that the government’s plan to sell rice at ₱20 per kilo is unsustainable unless significant support is given to Filipino farmers to boost their productivity.

Pangilinan made the statement Wednesday in response to the Department of Agriculture’s announcement of a pilot run of the program in the Visayas, with nationwide implementation targeted before the end of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.

“Not many will benefit if we don’t fix the supply problem,” said Pangilinan, who served as food security czar under President Benigno Aquino III. “Rice prices are high because the supply is low, and the root of the issue is unproductive farming.”

He called the ₱20/kilo rice initiative a short-term solution, arguing that addressing the root causes—such as poor yields and lack of government support—is key to lowering rice prices sustainably.

“Sure, some will benefit initially, but it’s not viable long-term. ₱20 rice might be too low. ₱30 to ₱45 per kilo is more realistic and still helpful,” he said.

Pangilinan urged the government to purchase rice directly from farmers at fair prices to bypass middlemen who manipulate the market. This, he said, would not only support farmers but also bring down consumer prices.

He also called for legal action against abusive traders who exploit farmers by buying at low prices and reselling at much higher ones. “They’re committing economic sabotage. Let’s file charges and make examples of them,” he emphasized.