One million Filipino rice farmers will each receive ₱7,000 in direct cash assistance under the proposed 2026 national budget as part of the Marcos administration's expanded support to the agriculture sector.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III made this announcement Monday, Oct. 6 during the joint hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Quezon 1st district Rep. Mark Enverga and the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Miro Quimbo.

Dy, who represents Isabela's 6th district, said the ₱7,000 assistance will help farmers recover from income losses caused by the drop in prices of palay (unhusked rice).

“Tiyak na may darating na tulong (Help is surely on the way)," said Dy, who only a week ago touched based with his farmer-constituents.

He said the direct assistance aligns with Executive Order (EO) No. 93, which temporarily suspends rice importation to protect local producers from oversupply and low prices.

"Ang pamamahagi ng cash aid ay nagpapakita ng determinasyon ni Pangulong Marcos na tugunan agad ang hirap ng mga magsasaka at isabay rito ang mga repormang pangmatagalan," the Speaker noted.

(The distribution of cash aid reflects President Marcos’ determination to immediately address the hardships of farmers while also implementing long-term reforms.)

“Ipinakiusap din natin sa Pangulo na ang lahat ng uri ng subsidiya mula sa Department of Agriculture (DA), tulad ng seed subsidy, ay ibigay na rin ng cash upang mas madali at mas direkta itong mapakinabangan ng ating mga magsasaka,” he added.

(We also appealed to the President that all types of subsidies from the [DA], such as seed subsidies, be given in cash as well, so that our farmers can benefit more easily and directly.)

Dy, who has long championed the welfare of farmers and the agriculture sector, said many growers in his home province of Isabela sell palay for as low as ₱8 per kilo, far below the ₱16 to ₱18 needed to recover production costs.

“Kapag palugi ang benta ng palay, hindi lang kabuhayan ng magsasaka ang nanganganib kundi pati ang seguridad sa pagkain ng buong bansa (When palay is sold at a loss, it’s not just the farmers’ livelihood that’s at risk, but also the food security of the entire country),” he explained.

RICE Act

He also underscored the importance of long-term reforms through the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act--a priority measure in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

The RICE Act seeks to strengthen the National Food Authority (NFA) in an effort to ensure food sufficiency in the country by amending the charter of the agency.

“Kaya naman isa sa mga pangunahing prayoridad na ating isinusulong sa LEDAC ay ang [RICE Act], upang mapatatag ang National Food Authority o NFA, mapangalagaan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka, at mapanatiling abot-kaya ang bigas para sa bawat Pilipino,” Dy said.

(That’s why one of our key priorities in LEDAC is the [RICE Act], to strengthen the [NFA], protect the livelihood of our farmers, and keep rice affordable for every Filipino.)

The RICE Act seeks to restore the NFA’s power to buy palay during harvest seasons, raise the rice import tariff from 15 to 35 percent, and set a ₱25-per-kilo floor price to stabilize farmers’ incomes. It will also allocate 75 percent of tariff revenues to a Price Stabilization Fund for farmer support.

Dy added that faster crop insurance processing, digital systems, and interest-free government loans are also part of the administration’s efforts to uplift rural communities.