The Department of Agriculture broadened the reach of its P29 rice program by adding KADIWA sites in Laguna and Cavite, aiming to extend benefits to more vulnerable households across the country, as envisioned by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
DA Assistant Secretary for Consumer and Legislative Affairs Genevieve Guevarra said the rapid expansion of the subsidized rice program is a well-considered action.
“We’re progressing ahead of schedule but with careful planning to maximize the program’s impact on disadvantaged Filipinos.”
“We’re progressing ahead of schedule but with careful planning to maximize the program’s impact on disadvantaged Filipinos,” Guevarra said.
The agriculture official noted the overwhelming demand for subsidized rice from vulnerable sectors like indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents in the cities of San Pedro, Laguna and Bacoor, Cavite.
“Other LGUs are requesting that KADIWA bring the P29 rice program to their areas but we have to do this on a calibrated manner. We want to ensure this program succeeds to extend its benefits to the most number of vulnerable Filipino households,” she said.
Currently operational in 15 sites, including newly included locations in Bacoor and San Pedro, the P29 rice program facilitates the sale of affordable rice sourced from the National Food Authority. Food Terminal Inc., a government corporation under the purview of the DA, buys the NFA’s aging stocks and sells it via KADIWA centers at subsidized prices.
FTI president and chief executive officer Joseph Rudolph Lo affirmed government support for DA’s initiatives, including the Rice-for-All program aimed at offering well-milled and fancy rice at discounted rates through KADIWA centers.
“Rice-for-All is already making strides in selected centers, with phased roll-outs planned to ensure its success.”
“Rice-for-All is already making strides in selected centers, with phased roll-outs planned to ensure its success,” Lo said.
The P29 rice program ultimately targets 6.9 million households, equivalent to approximately 34 million Filipinos, and is currently undergoing a large-scale trial to gather essential data on demand, supply, and logistics. In the first two weeks of the large-scale trial, more than 12.7 tons of rice were sold in KADIWA centers to more than 25,000 households.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. anticipates a potential price adjustment based on global rice market trends, including expectations of India lifting its non-basmati rice export ban and improved production in countries like Thailand and Vietnam following El Nino.
“We will extend this program for as long as possible and hopefully supply and global developments permitting—we could even lower rice prices for those who need this targeted government intervention the most,” Tiu Laurel said.
As the DA continues to expand the program’s footprint nationwide, stakeholders anticipate enhanced accessibility and affordability of rice for vulnerable sectors in the Philippines.
