DBM approves release of addt’l P1.665B for Rice Seed Program

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday said it has approved the release of P1.665 billion for additional fund requirements of the Rice Seed Program.

In a statement, the DBM said the amount should cover the purchase, delivery, and distribution of inbred-certified seeds for the 2026 dry season, as well as the procurement of necessary vehicles and farm machinery to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of production support services. 

The inbred certified seeds will be distributed to 12 regions, including Central Luzon, which is the largest rice-producing region in the country, according to the Budget Department.

The Rice Seed Program, implemented by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), aims to develop, propagate, distribute, and promote high-quality inbred rice seeds to rice farmers and empower the seed growers' cooperatives or associations.

The latest fund release for the program seeks to ensure that farmer-grantees have access to high-quality inbred rice seeds necessary for increased yields and would also help accommodate early planting schedules of farmer-beneficiaries, the DBM said.

Under the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Act, the Budget Department said at least P4 billion was appropriated for the DA-PhilRice, “covering the acquisition, delivery, and distribution of 2,500,344 (at 20 kilograms per bag) of inbred certified seeds for the wet season, which started in March 2025.”

The DBM said the fund was released through a Special Allotment Release Order on May 14, 2025. —VBL, GMA Integrated News