DA eyeing rice subsidy instead of cash for 4Ps beneficiaries

September 4, 2019

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing the distribution of rice instead of cash to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or conditional cash transfer.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, DA Secretary William Dar said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is open on his proposal for a rice subsidy instead of cash assistance to 4Ps beneficiaries.

"We are at this stage, at the final discussion and they suggested to have a MOA (memorandum of agreement)," he said.

He said his office is also talking with the legislative branch to find out if rice subsidy is possible.

Congress recently passed a law insitutionalizing the 4Ps.

Dar said if the DA's proposal is feasible, it could start by October.

"We are working with DSWD in terms of converting the cash into rice so that DSWD buys the rice from provincial governments, and NFA (National Food Authority) for that matter. We are studying other measures to stabilize the price of ricevin the market," he explained. Celerina Monte/DMS