Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday welcomed an initiative by MerryMart Grocery, a company under listed DoubleDragon Corp., to support the government’s effort to provide affordable rice options to Filipino consumers.

“We need more good corporate citizens like MerryMart who are ready to extend a helping hand to assist the government in looking after the welfare of Filipinos, especially those who need relief from unwarranted price pressures,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for MerryMart’s participation in the KADIWA ng Pangulo (KNP) program.

MerryMart President Jacqueline Anna Marie Gomez signed the MOU for the retail network to join the Philippine government’s affordable rice program.

The agreement is a result of a meeting convened by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on January 21, aimed at encouraging large retail networks to help widen the distribution of affordable rice options, such as the P29 rice and the Rice-for-All (RFA) program. The RFA offers several well-milled rice varieties: RFA5, which is 5% broken and sold at P45 per kilo; RFA25, 25% broken and priced at P38 per kilo; and RFA100, or Sulit Rice, fully broken and sold at P36 per kilo.

The partnership between the DA and MerryMart, focused on the KNP program, aims to address the rising cost of basic commodities and ensure food security, particularly regarding rice. Under the terms of the agreement, MerryMart will offer rice at P29 per kilo, in alignment with the government’s P29 and Rice-for-All initiative.

MerryMart emphasized that the initiative is part of its corporate social responsibility and is designed to make rice more affordable for Filipino families, especially those struggling with inflation.

The collaboration also aligns with the government’s broader food security agenda, which seeks to increase small farmers’ incomes, expand markets for agricultural products, and ensure that basic necessities are accessible at reasonable prices.

Beyond rice, the MOU envisions the distribution of additional agri-fishery products across MerryMart-identified sites. The DA and the grocery network have also committed to providing technical support for the effective rollout of the KNP and Rice-for-All programs. Both parties will collaborate on joint promotional strategies and media campaigns to raise awareness about affordable food options.

The MOU, however, does not impose any legally binding obligations on the parties but sets the groundwork for future, more specific commitments. The agreement will remain in effect until December 31, 2028, subject to amendments or termination by either party with prior notice.

This partnership marks a significant step toward strengthening the country’s food nutrition security efforts, to improve the livelihoods of small farmers, and provide Filipinos with more access to affordable essential goods.

Published Date: January 31, 2025