MANILA: More Metro Manila residents will now be able to access cheaper rice as the Kadiwa ng Pangulo’s (KNP) Rice for All program is set to sell mixed local and imported well-milled rice at PHP40 per kilogram in five major public markets, as well as in MRT-North Avenue Station and LRT-Monumento Station. This is PHP5 lower than the original price of PHP45/kg when the Rice for All program was launched in Kadiwa sites in August.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stated in a press conference that the PHP40/kg price was made possible following the tariff reduction on imported rice. He explained that the intention is to demonstrate the possibility of lowering prices, particularly for rice that is currently priced between PHP50 to PHP55, which he described as too high.

Starting Thursday, the KNP’s Rice for All kiosks will operate in Kamuning Market, Malabon Central Market, New Las Piñas City Public Market, Pasay City Public Market, and Guadalupe
Market, as well as in the two train stations in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr). These will operate every Tuesday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The seven sites are on top of the existing KNP centers in the metropolis.

De Mesa noted that the initial five major markets were selected based on the high prices of retail rice in their areas, highlighting that prices in these markets are relatively higher. For Kadiwa kiosks in MRT and LRT stations, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra emphasized that both commuters and the general public can readily access the cheaper rice, with expectations of high buying volume in the afternoons and evenings due to commuter traffic.

Guevarra added that the Rice for All program offers no-limit purchase, with continuous replenishment to ensure availability. De Mesa also mentioned that the PHP40/kg price could be sustained through a ‘sustainable’ supply from Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), which buys rice at PHP37 to PHP38, co
vering packaging and logistics expenses.

The DA official also referenced a recently approved PHP5 billion fund for KNP’s Rice for All procurement and logistics costs. The DA plans to expand the program to additional markets in Metro Manila, as well as major cities in Visayas and Mindanao, for a 2025 rollout.