Corn is being distributed to 29 locations in Cebu
Governor Gwen Garcia is pushing forward with the province-wide implementation of the Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB) program, which provides subsidized rice at just P20 per kilo. This initiative was given the green light by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
On May 1, 2025, the DA's P20 per kilo rice distribution for Cebu began under the guidance of Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., at the Capitol grounds. Present during the ceremony were Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco.
All municipalities and component cities of Cebu Province have started participating in this rice distribution effort. While the exact list is yet to be officially announced, it is confirmed that cities like Minglanilla, Naga, Carcar City, Talisay City, San Fernando, Argao, Oslob, Samboan, Santander, Tuburan, Balamban, Asturias, Barili, Aloguinsan, Toledo City, Bantayan, Bogo City, Medellin, Tabogon, Poro, Sogod, Borbon, Compostela, Catmon, Pinamungahan, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tudela, and Tabuelan are among those contributing to and receiving subsidized rice through the SMB program.
This initiated on November 2023, and with an expanded rollout beginning May 1, 2025, the program now aims to reach over 300,000 beneficiaries, including barangay health and daycare workers, barangay tanod (security officers), public school teachers, government employees, farmers, and fisherfolk. Each beneficiary is entitled to 10 kilograms of rice weekly.
This text has been adaptively rewritten for improved readability and clarity, while key details from the enrichment data have been incorporate into the piece where appropriate. If you need more specific details about participating municipalities and cities, please contact local government offices or follow official announcements from the Cebu Provincial Government or Governor Gwen Garcia directly.
- Governor Gwen Garcia, with the support of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), is driving the province-wide implementation of the Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB) program, which aims to reach over 300,000 beneficiaries in Cebu.
- The SMB program, launched in November 2023, provides subsidized rice at just P20 per kilo, with Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. overseeing the distribution in Cebu on May 1, 2025.
- Municipalities and component cities delivering and benefiting from the subsidized rice program include Minglanilla, Naga, Carcar City, Talisay City, San Fernando, Argao, Oslob, Samboan, Santander, Tuburan, Balamban, Asturias, Barili, Aloguinsan, Toledo City, Bantayan, Bogo City, Medellin, Tabogon, Poro, Sogod, Borbon, Compostela, Catmon, Pinamungahan, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tudela, and Tabuelan.
- Eligible beneficiaries of the SMB program are barangay health and daycare workers, barangay tanod (security officers), public school teachers, government employees, farmers, and fisherfolk, each entitled to 10 kilograms of rice weekly.
- Cebu's economy, spanning various sectors such as culture, elections, industry, finance, and business, will indirectly benefit from the SMB program as it addresses the vital need for affordable food for a significant portion of the population.
