The ₱20-per-kilo rice sale launched by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on May 1 in Cebu has been temporarily suspended in compliance with election rules.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the development during the Cebu launch of the Marcos administration’s rice initiative, stating that although the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had initially granted an exemption, they have since requested a deferral of the program’s full implementation until after the May 12 midterm elections.
The suspension took effect immediately after the one-day rollout.
Laurel emphasized that the DA respects the Comelec’s directive and has paused all other similar initiatives nationwide until election restrictions are lifted.
The ₱20 rice initiative is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s promise to bring down rice prices and make food more accessible to the public.
Comelec rules prohibit public spending and program rollouts during the campaign and election period unless specifically exempted.
The DA has not announced when the program may resume in other regions.
