President Bongbong Marcos is keeping the government’s free rice program in place for nearly eight million low-income families, with qualified households set to receive 10 kilograms every two months under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program.
The continuation turns the rice distribution into a recurring food assistance measure rather than a one-off release. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the directive from Marcos is aimed at keeping food support available to families facing persistent pressure from the cost of basic goods.
“This is not a one-time, big-time program. The distribution will take place every two months. The President’s instruction is simple: No Filipino family should go hungry,” Recto said.
The program will rely heavily on local government units for implementation, from identifying qualified beneficiaries to handling distribution. LGUs are also being directed to complete requirements through the Ugnayang Bayan portal so funding and project support can move faster.
The rice itself is intended to be sourced from Filipino farmers, giving the program a second economic function beyond household assistance. The government said local procurement is meant to create demand for domestic rice while directing food support to families.
“There are two benefits: There is rice on the table, and farmers earn income,” Recto said.
The program is backed through the Local Government Support Fund, which received roughly ₱57.87 billion in 2026 and also finances roads, water systems, health facilities, farm-to-market roads, and other local projects. The administration is proposing a slightly higher allocation of ₱58.32 billion for the fund in 2027.
The expanded target of nearly eight million families comes after millions of households had already received rice assistance earlier in the rollout, putting the program among the Marcos administration’s largest recurring food support efforts.
