A P20 per kilo rice program exclusively for tricycle drivers has been rolled out in the cities of Tagum and Panabo in Davao del Norte on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the local government, sold 200 bags or 10,000 kilos of rice to tricycle drivers at the Multi-Purpose Gym, Rotary Park, Barangay Poblacion, Tagum City.

Each driver was allowed to buy up to 10 kilos, provided they present their transport identification (ID).

“Dako kaayo’g tabang ng tag baynte nga bugas ang pulo ka kilo dugay dugay pud namo na mahurot,” beneficiary, Leonardo Roa Jr., said.

The local government assured that the NFA rice being sold through the rice subsidy program is of good quality.

“Nagpakuha ko og sample sa NFA kay gikan mana didto ang stock ug sa sample okay nagpaluto pud ko to be sure kay iwas ta daghan storya ang NFA nga rice baho ooh humot, bulad na lang kulang,” Mayor Rey Uy said.

More than 1,000 drivers may avail the program, based on the available supply. However, the city has more than 3,000 tricycle drivers.

DA said additional rice supplies will be delivered so that all drivers can benefit.

“Ang allocation naman is 10 kilos per month so yong 1,000 na makakuha ngayon next week ang susunod na 1,000 para po mapuno for September and next month may makaka-avail na naman po,” DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, said.

DA also announced that starting next month, a QR code system will be implemented to streamline the verification process and ensure beneficiaries do not exceed their purchase limits.

Public school teachers and parents associations are expected to be the next beneficiaries of the program.

DA assured that there is enough rice supply to accommodate all target beneficiaries.

“Sa percentage po ng stocks sa NFA wala pa po tayo sa 10 percent nong ni-launch natin siya nitong August na naman ulit sa beneficiaries di pa kasama ang vulnerable sector di pa ganon karami so we are fast tracking para mas marami pa ang mabibigyan natin. We have enough supply,” Guevarra added.

The same program was also launched in Panabo City on the same day, where 100 bags or 5,000 kilos of rice were made available for tricycle drivers.