Manila: The first day of the rollout of Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) kiosks in five major public markets in Metro Manila, selling well-milled rice at PHP40 per kilogram, received positive feedback from consumers. According to Philippines News Agency, the KNP kiosks, under the Rice for All program, began operations at the Kamuning Market in Quezon City, Malabon Central Market, New Las Piñas City Public Market, Pasay City Public Market, and Guadalupe Public Market in Makati. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to ensure the accessibility and affordability of rice and other food commodities in local markets. Virginia Arcos, 57, a house helper, shared her satisfaction with saving over PHP10 per kilogram in market expenses for her family of six. "I'm thankful that the price of rice was lowered. That's what we've been asking because all commodities are so expensive, especially when you're sending someone to school," she expressed in an interview. In another interview, Oscar Gasa ng, 62, praised the Department of Agriculture (DA) for addressing public concerns amid rising retail prices. "This is a huge thing for us because the price of all goods is increasing at these times. This is what we have been hoping for so long, for the prices of rice to drop," he stated. Meanwhile, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra noted that the availability of KNP kiosks in the five public markets has already led to a decrease in rice prices. "We saw that once one of them drops their price, usually they belong to a group, so they all follow," she remarked in an ambush interview at the Kamuning Market. The KNP kiosk allows consumers unlimited purchases with a stable supply sourced from the Food and Terminal Incorporated, operating every Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, the operation of KNP Rice for All kiosks at MRT North Avenue and LRT Monumento stations has been rescheduled for December 10 to ensure order and security in designated spaces. "These will open next week b ecause we need to prepare the venues. We need security, because these facilities are not fully government facilities, they are public like markets. So, they want to be more prepared in our sale of cheaper rice," Velicaria-Guevarra explained. In addition to the operations of KNP kiosks in two train stations next week, the DA is also coordinating with Balintawak (Cloverleaf) market and Maypajo public market in Quezon City, Cartimar market in Pasay, Grace market in Pateros, and Paco market for additional sites of KNP kiosks operations within the month.