Iloilo City: The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA 6), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), has made strides in making rice accessible to the public by participating in the two-day Kadiwa ng Pangulo Merkado Lokal event held in Iloilo City on April 24-25. The initiative is part of the Rice-for-All program aimed at providing affordable rice options to local residents.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DA set up its stall in front of the Ker and Co. building, offering 150 sacks or 1,500 five-kilo rice packs at a price of PHP29 per kilo. Kadiwa focal person Lea Veloso stated, "Anybody can buy. It is PHP29 per kilo," while indicating that buyers are limited to purchasing 10 kilos per person if demand is high. Veloso also highlighted that DA has been a consistent participant since the city's Kadiwa program was institutionalized.
Local buyers, such as Jona Duronio of Barangay Tanza Baybay and William Soldivilla of Barangay Bitoon, expressed their appreciation for the affordable rice. Soldivilla noted that this initiative helps him save money compared to market prices, which are around PHP40 per kilo. By Thursday afternoon, nearly 72 sacks had already been sold.
In addition to rice, the DA-AMAD facilitated the sale of red and yellow onions by the Miag-ao Onion Growers at PHP80 per kilo, significantly lower than the market price of PHP120. City agriculturist I±igo Garingalao remarked that the fair attracted around 35 exhibitors from Iloilo City and nearby towns, with plans to expand to include mango growers from Guimaras. He emphasized that the fair not only supports local farmers but also highlights Iloilo's food supply and culinary culture.
Garingalao further explained, "Not only do we allow our local farmers to sell their produce to emphasize that we still have supply, and not only to emphasize that we are gastronomic. This is a venue for national government agencies to sell. We have here DA Region 6 selling cheaper rice and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources)." He also mentioned that the city government, under Mayor Jerry Tre±as, has provided free use of the venue, tent, and electricity for farmers to display their produce and earn income.
