Butuan city: Government agencies are intensifying efforts to maintain the availability of PHP20-per-kilo rice in the Caraga Region, benefiting thousands of residents with this subsidized staple.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a press briefing on Monday, Arlan Mangelen, the Regional Executive Director for the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13), revealed that over 7,000 residents took advantage of the discounted rice offer on September 13, a day that marked the birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) has recently opened an outlet in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, and plans to establish four additional outlets next month. These will be located in Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Libertad, Butuan City.

FTI outlets are primarily focused on serving the rice farmers across the region. Antonio Rosario Lagrimas II, the acting General Manager of the National Food Authority-Caraga (NFA-13), assured the public during the briefing that there will be an adequate rice supply once these new outlets commence operations.

Vincent Albia, the NFA-13 operations officer, noted that since July, the NFA has been supplying rice to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its private sector partners in the region as part of the program targeting private workers. Approximately 1,000 sacks of rice have been distributed through these collaborations.

Mangelen also mentioned that the Kadiwa outlets in the region will continue to sell PHP20 per kilo rice, catering to vulnerable sectors. These outlets are operational every 15th and 30th of the month. Moreover, the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA-13 has been directed to request additional rice allocations from FTI to ensure the program’s accessibility to all sectors.