By TED CORDERO, GMA Integrated News

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded the footprint of its Kadiwa ng Pangulo Rice-for-All program kiosks, where it sells rice at a lower price, in more public markets and metro light rail stations in Metro Manila.

In a statement on Friday, the DA said that following the initial rollout last week of the Rice-for-All program in five public markets and select train stations in the National Capital Region (NCR), it is expanding the initiative to nine additional locations.

The new markets and LRT/MRT stations include Maypajo Public Market (Caloocan City), Murphy Market and Cloverleaf Balintawak (Quezon City), La Huerta Market (Parañaque City), Trabajo Market (Sampaloc, Manila), and several key train stations —Cubao (LRT2), Recto (LRT2), North Avenue (MRT3), and Ayala Avenue (MRT3).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that “the [Rice-for-All] program, which offers well-milled rice at P40 per kilo, is a realization of President Bongbong Marcos’ vision to provide affordable rice options to more Filipinos.”

“This program is separate from the P29 rice initiative, which specifically supports vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigents,” added Tiu Laurel.

The Agriculture chief said the DA will continue to expand the Kadiwa ng Pangulo kiosks offering P40 per kilo rice “to more cities and municipalities in the coming weeks to ensure that rice prices reflect true market conditions, especially following President Marcos’ decision to reduce tariffs from 35% to 15% in July.”

“The DA will be unrelenting in pushing this program to keep rice traders and retailers honest, and ensure consumers aren’t taken advantage of by unscrupulous businessmen,” said Tiu Laurel.

The Rice-for-All program is an initiative under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program —collaboration between DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

Published Date: December 13, 2024