July 08, 2024 - The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be launching the "Rice for All" program this July in its Kadiwa sites across the Philippines, aiming to provide Filipinos with a more affordable rice option. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa announced the program in a recent interview, stating that the rice will be a mix of imported and local well-milled varieties.
The "Rice for All" program promises prices potentially even lower than the initial target range of PHP45 to PHP48 per kilogram. "This will be implemented alongside our existing Kadiwa stores, and comes after the successful large-scale trial for the P29 program," de Mesa said. The P29 program refers to the ongoing sale of PHP29/kg aged rice to vulnerable sectors in 10 areas within Metro Manila and Bulacan.
Good news for Filipinos outside Luzon: the DA also targets to expand both the P29 and "Rice for All" programs to the Visayas and Mindanao regions in August. This initiative comes as a welcome relief amidst rising rice prices.