Manila: Regular customers of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) are hopeful that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will soon initiate a nationwide sale of affordable rice priced at PHP20 per kilogram. This anticipation follows an announcement by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. regarding the pilot sale of PHP20/kg rice in the Visayas region. The announcement came after a closed-door meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and 12 governors from the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the program will initially allow each family in the Visayas a purchase limit of 10 kilograms per week, summing up to 40 kilograms per month. This initiative is expected to expand nationwide. Roque Fajardo, a 63-year-old senior citizen and frequent rice buyer at the KNP located at the Bureau of Animal Industry in Quezon City, expressed his eagerness for the fulfillment of President Marcos' promise across the country. In a media interview on Thursday, Fajardo emphasized the potential savings and accessibility to cheaper rice this initiative could bring.
Dennis Mordeno, 60, another regular customer who travels from Payatas to purchase rice from KNP Centers, highlighted the economic benefits of the PHP20/kg rice sale, especially for those residing in Metro Manila. Mordeno pointed out the substantial savings compared to commercial rice, which is priced around PHP45 to PHP50 per kilogram.
Mordeno also praised the quality of rice available at KNP Centers under the P29 program, which involves selling aging but quality rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) to vulnerable groups such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program members, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), and solo parents. He dismissed criticisms about the rice quality, affirming its suitability for human consumption.
Zenaida Deli±a, 71, who usually purchases commercial rice, recently bought two sacks of PHP35/kg well-milled rice offered under the DA's Rice for All (RFA) program. She shared in an interview that her child's positive remarks about the rice prompted her purchase.
As of April 21, approximately 1,255.10 metric tons, or over 1.2 million kilograms, of PHP29 rice have been sold in KNP Centers and kiosks across the nation. Additionally, the RFA program has sold 1,806.65 metric tons, or over 1.8 million kilograms, of rice varieties, including RFA5 (5 percent broken rice), RFA25 (25 percent broken rice), and Sulit rice or RFA100 (100 percent broken but white rice).
