The Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday it will roll out the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Rice-for-All program, where it sells rice at a lower rate, at major public markets and MRT and LRT stations in Metro Manila.
“In partnership with the Food Terminal Inc., these kiosks will offer Rice-for-All at an affordable price of P40 per kilo, available from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,” said DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra, head of the Kadiwa program.
The program initially sold rice at P45 per kilo and has been reduced to P43 per kilo.
The DA said the price will be reduced further starting today to a P40 per kilo as part of efforts to shield consumers from inflationary pressures.
“Currently, we are coordinating with the following major markets in NCR for the rollout: Kamuning Market, Malabon Central Market, New Las Piñas City Public Market, Pasay City Public Market, Balintawak Market, Cartimar Market, Pateros Grace Marketplace, Maypajo Public Market, Paco Market,” Guevarra said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA plans to expand the program to other parts of the country “where prices of rice remain high, a situation that borders on profiteering.”
He said the President had earlier approved an additional budget of P5 billion to support the P29 and Rice-for-All programs.
This initiative underscores the DA’s commitment to ensuring food security and stabilizing rice prices across Metro Manila, said Tiu Laurel.
