Building on the success of last month’s P29 rice program, which provides rice at P29 per kilo for vulnerable sectors, the DA launched the “Rice-for-All” program in selected Kadiwa sites on August 1, 2024. This new initiative aims to ensure wide access to affordable rice for all Filipinos.
The Rice-for-All Program offers well-milled rice to the general public at P45 per kilo, sourced from rice importers and local traders, with a limit of 25 kilos per customer per day. It was simultaneously launched at four Kadiwa outlets: FTI in Taguig City, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Manila, Potrero in Malabon, and Caloocan. It is being sold every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, together with DA Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra and BPI Director Glenn Panganiban, Ph.D., graced the launch at the Kadiwa store at BPI in Manila.
Asec. De Mesa assured the public of the food safety of the rice as it undergoes tests conducted by the NFA and BPI. Meanwhile, Asec. Velicaria-Guevarra mentioned that the P45 price per kilo is still subject to changes, depending on demand, prices, and other administrative concerns, and it could be lowered to as much as P40.
Aside from the P45 per kilo rice, the Kadiwa site at BPI also sells affordable fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, along with the P29 rice program for the vulnerable sector. ### (photos by Alan Jay Jacalan, DA-AFID)
