DA to sell P20/kilo rice in 50 Kadiwa sites

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to roll out its P20 per kilo rice program to at least 50 Kadiwa sites by June to reach more Filipinos, especially those living in poverty.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said President Marcos has instructed him to expand the program as fast as the DA can.

Tiu Laurel disclosed that he reported to Marcos the initial reception of the public about the P20 rice program, which the Chief Executive commended.

“By June, which is near, we are planning to open 50 to 55 outlets for selling P20 per kilo rice,” he told reporters after the DA held a ceremonial salu-salo with P20-per-kilo rice buyers in Quezon City to formally launch the subsidized rice program of the government.

At present, the DA is selling P20 per kilo rice in 32 sites in Luzon, across public markets and Kadiwa centers in Metro Manila and Region 4-A.

The additional selling sites will be located in areas in Luzon that have high poverty incidence to make it fair to consumers, Tiu Laurel said.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said expanding the P20 rice program to 50 outlets may be achieved as soon as next week.

Velicaria-Guevarra said the DA is now arranging the necessary logistics needed to roll out the program to the additional sites.

The new selling sites will be existing Kadiwa centers overseen by the DA.

One of the logistical concerns in the P20 rice program is securing a good warehouse or storage area to prevent spoilage.

Priority warehouses for the program are those owned or run by the National Food Authority and the Bureau of Plant Industry.

The DA began selling P20 per kilo rice this month, with the supplies coming from the soon-to-age and aging stocks of the NFA.