'P29' rice program trial set to begin on July 5 in Metro Manila, Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will offer rice at P29 per kilo in Metro Manila and Bulacan's at-risk areas starting July 5.

Known as “Program 29”, the sale of high-quality rice will become available in 10 KADIWA centers in Metro Manila and Bulacan for its initial run, specifically targeting 6.9 million vulnerable families or 35 million individuals.

The large-scale trial will assess supply, demand and logistics in order to determine the next course of action.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the rice sale will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Designated KADIWA sites include Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Quezon City, BAI in Manila, Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig, and PhilFIDA in Las Piñas.

P29 rice will be available in cities such as Caloocan, Valenzuela, Barangay Fortune and BF City in Marikina, and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

To ensure that the subsidized rice will prioritize the marginalized communities, KADIWA will monitor purchases with booklets for eligible beneficiaries like senior citizens, single parents, persons with disability (PWDs) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipients.

"We appeal to beneficiaries not to take advantage of this program by reselling the P29 rice from KADIWA centers. We want to ensure that the largest number of those in the vulnerable sectors will benefit from this program of President Bongbong Marcos,” Tiu Laurel stressed.

The public is also urged to present their valid identification cards in order to qualify for the rice program.

Assistant Secretary for consumer and legislative affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said that consumers are encouraged to bring reusable containers or bags to lessen plastic waste.

Aside from rice, buyers may also purchase affordable grocery items like eggs, meat and vegetables in leading KADIWA centers and pop-up stores.

The DA anticipates approximately 69,000 metric tons of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) and NIA, including imports once the program is fully operational.

READ: Sale of NFA rice stocks at P29/kilo OK’d

This would allow 10 kilos of rice per month at P29 per kilo to vulnerable families.

Other upcoming plans

The DA hopes to expand its major centers by August. This would be in partnership with local government units to further reach the economically disadvantaged areas in Metro Manila.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 62 aims to lower rice prices by reducing rice tariffs from 35% to 15%.

Other initiatives include expanding KADIWA centers and implementing "Rice-for-All" to further reduce market prices.