The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the launch of the Rice-for-All program, offering well-milled-rice for P45 per kilo at four Kadiwa outlets in Metro Manila.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa emphasized that this rice is good quality, unlike the aging NFA stocks sold at P29 per kilo.To prevent hoarding each buyer is limited to purchasing 25 kilos per day.
The new program complements the existing P29 per kilo rice initiative and aims to lower retail prices. The P45/kilo rice is priced competitively compared to imported and local well-milled rice, which typically range from P51 to P55 per kilo.
The Kadiwa outlets will operate on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, without any subsidy from DA. De Mesa highlighted that the initiative is a collaboration between the DA, FTI, and traders to influence retail rice prices positively.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. aims to provide affordable, quality rice and encourage trader participation to impact prices positively.
Photo Courtesy: Andy Zapata Jr.