MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will start selling rice at P43 per kilo under its Rice-for-All program at Kadiwa stores starting this week.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said that they aim to give the most affordable rice for consumers at Kadiwa outlets, which they also intend to expand within the year.
“We expect to double our Kadiwa outlets this weekend as part of a broader goal of reaching 169 stores by the end of the year,” he said in a statement.
This week, a total of 21 Kadiwa outlets will open across Metro Manila and Laguna.
The outlets will also offer rice at P29 per kilo for senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities.
The DA Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service has partnered with several farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives to establish at least one Kadiwa store in each of the 1,500 municipalities nationwide
“This partnership demonstrates the Filipino ‘bayanihan’ spirit where the government and private sector collaborate, a tie-up that is crucial in the implementation of government programs,” said DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra.