The National Food Authority (NFA) is selling aging rice stocks to low-income Filipinos P29 per kilogram (kg).
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. underscored that the “aging but good” NFA rice stocks will be offered through the KADIWA network for a limited period.
“This program primarily aims to provide rice at an affordable price of P29 per kilo for the vulnerable sectors of society,” he said.
While slightly higher than the previous P25 per kilo price, the discounted rate remains significantly lower than current market prices, he added.
About 6.9 million households or 34 million individuals from the vulnerable sectors, comprised of persons with disabilities, solo parents, and senior citizens, stand to benefit from the initiative. Each beneficiary can purchase up to 10 kilos per month.
The NFA held a pilot run dubbed “Bigas 29” which is in line with the government’s vision of a food-secure Philippines with affordable and accessible basic necessities.
Tiu Laurel reminded the NFA Council that the program’s implementation, given the monthly target volume, procurement cost, and selling price, would incur a social cost between P1.39 billion and P1.53 billion per month.
To secure supply for the cheaper rice program, the DA plans to import 363,697 metric tons (MT) of rice to supplement national buffer stocks and secure 559,535 MT of palay (unhusked rice) directly from Filipino farmers.
The estimated cost of securing rice buffer stocks for approximately 19 days of national consumption is P28.39 billion.
The government targets a nationwide launch of the Bigas-29 program in early July.