DA: Kadiwa rice soon in supermarkets

MANILA, Philippines —  Affordable rice sold at Kadiwa outlets will soon be available at over 3,200 retail outlets including supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced on Thursday after reaching an agreement with some of the country’s top retail chains.

Tiu Laurel said that he met with representatives from SM, Robinsons, 7-Eleven, Puregold and MerryMart, and discussed the government’s effort to stabilize rice prices and improve access for Filipino households.

The Department of Agriculture chief said that the affordable rice – including the P29 per kilo rice for vulnerable sectors; the P38 and P45 per kilo of rice for 25 percent and five percent broken under the Rice-for-All Program, and the P36 per kilo “sulit rice,” – will be available in over 3,200 retail outlets of SM, Robinsons, 7-Eleven, Puregold and MerryMart.

Tiu Laurel said the program will be piloted in Metro Manila, adding that Food Terminal Inc., a government-owned corporation, will handle the supply and packaging of rice distributed through participating retail chains.

Meanwhile, farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas yesterday described the government’s plan to declare a food security emergency as “superficial” and a short-term measure that fails to address the issues plaguing the country’s rice sector.