The Department of Agriculture is expanding its P29 rice program by adding three more KADIWA centers in Metro Manila to the large-scale trial of selling low-priced but good quality rice to reach more vulnerable households.
The DA recently kicked-off the large-scale trial by offering P29 per kilo rice to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents and members of the government’s 4Ps program in 10 KADIWA sites in Metro Manila and in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan.
DA Assistant Secretary for Consumer and Legislative Affiars Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who oversees the KADIWA program, said the three additional sites will be in Malabon, Navotas, and Nangka, Marikina.
Velicaria-Guevarra added three more sites may be opened in two neighboring provinces of Metro Manila before end July.
“We are also looking at areas outside Metro Manila where there are plenty of vulnerable households.”
“We continue to learn from this large-scale trial, particularly on the demand for low-priced rice, amount and source of supply, and logistics needed to sustain this program and expand it across the country. We are also looking at areas outside Metro Manila where there are plenty of vulnerable households. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. wants to make sure this program will benefit the most number of Filipinos at the longest time possible,” she explained.
Aside from P29 rice, selected KADIWA centers will also start selling the food staple under the “Rice-for-All” program, where well-milled rice will be made available to general consumers at prices lower than prevailing market prices of the same quality grain.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. had earlier asked all local government units in Metro Manila to identify suitable sites for KADIWA centers to expand the reach of Marcos’ program to provide more affordably-priced food to a larger number of Filipinos.
“Our goal is to expand the number of KADIWA centers offering P29 rice in the coming weeks and extend this network to the Visayas and Mindanao by late August or early September, in collaboration with local government units, farmers’ cooperatives, and private businesses,” Tiu Laurel said.
“In addition to P29 rice, the DA and its affiliated agencies and corporations are actively developing plans to make well-milled rice available to the public through KADIWA centers at prices lower than prevailing market rates.”
“In addition to P29 rice, the DA and its affiliated agencies and corporations are actively developing plans to make well-milled rice available to the public through KADIWA centers at prices lower than prevailing market rates,” the agriculture chief added.
KADIWA centers provide a rent-free market place for farmers cooperatives and associations to sell their harvest and produce like vegetables, fish, eggs, pork and chicken at wholesale prices. Other food producers also sell discounted canned and manufactured goods.
