Mandaluyong City: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has teamed up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to make PHP20 rice accessible to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. In a recent announcement, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that this initiative fulfills President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise of providing quality, affordable rice to Filipino families, while ensuring local rice farmers receive fair compensation.

According to Philippines News Agency, the affordable rice will soon be available at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City. This initiative is part of the Kadiwa program, which is led by the DA. The program aims to directly connect consumers with farmers, fishers, and microenterprises, thus reducing market layers that typically inflate prices. It seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable food distribution system under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda.

Cacdac urged consumers to purchase responsibly and adhere to distribution guidelines to maximize the number of families benefiting from the low-cost rice. Furthermore, the DMW is collaborating with the DA to support OFWs and their families interested in agribusiness through the national reintegration program. This initiative includes providing technical assistance and guidance for aspiring OFW ‘agri-preneurs.’

Cacdac emphasized the agricultural sector as a promising business and investment opportunity for OFWs. He reiterated the DMW’s commitment to partnering with the DA to support OFWs, promoting agribusiness as a sustainable and viable reintegration program.