By Brian Campued
As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., at least 32 Kadiwa outlets across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Oriental Mindoro will sell P20 per kilo rice beginning May 15, Malacañang announced.
In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro underscored that the President’s initiative was not driven by political timing but a realization of the President’s aspiration of making rice more affordable for Filipinos.
Castro said, “Ito’y hindi lamang pang-eleksiyon katulad ng sinasabi nila. Bukas na po ang ibang mga KADIWA centers natin para po sa bente pesos na bigas.”
The Chief Executive assured that the administration will continue its efforts to reduce prices of commodities to ensure food security.
“Mahalaga sa akin na makapaghatid ang gobyerno ng abot-kayang pagkain—lalo na ang bigas—hindi lang dahil ito ay pangako, kundi dahil tungkulin kong tiyakin na walang Pilipinong nagugutom,” Marcos said.
“Ang Bagong Pilipinas na pinapangarap ko ay isang bayan kung saan masagana ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Patuloy kong pagsusumikapang maisakatuparan ito,” he added.
The affordable rice was first launched in Cebu province on May 1 but was temporarily suspended in compliance with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) 10-day election spending ban from May 2–12.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has resumed the rollout of the P20 rice program in 12 Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila and nearby provinces on Tuesday:
- Pasay City Public Market
- Kamuning Public Market, Quezon City
- Mandaluyong Public Market I (Kalentong)
- Mandaluyong Public Market II
- Bagong Silang Phase 9 Public Market
- Navotas Agora Complex
- New Las Piñas Market
- Agribusiness Development Center (D.A. Compound), Diliman, Quezon City
- Bulacan Farmers Cooperative, Brgy. Pala-Pala, San Ildefonso, Bulacan
- Umpucan Palay and Vegetable Farmers Multi Purpose Cooperative, Purok 5, Umpucan, San Ildefonso, Bulacan
- Balaong Vegetable Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Sitio Panganyuman, Balaong, San Miguel, Bulacan
- C5 Road, Brgy. Santa Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
The following Kadiwa stores in the National Capital Region and Regions 3, 4-A, and 4-B will begin sale of P20 per kilo rice on Thursday, May 15:
- Bureau of Animal Industry, Quezon City
- Bureau of Plant Industry, Malate, Manila
- Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Las Piñas City
- Bagong Sibol Market, Nangka, Marikina City
- Disiplina Village, Valenzuela City
- Food Terminal Inc., Western Bicutan, Taguig
- Brgy. 183, Midway Park, Caloocan City
- Philippine National Police Headquarters (Camp Crame), Quezon City
- Navotas City Hall, Navotas City
- Barangay Minuyan, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan (beside SJDM Sports Complex)
- Naic Municipal Covered Court, Naic, Cavite
- Dasmariñas, Cavite (Rolling)
- Sta. Rosa City Hall, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna
- Municipal Agriculture Office, Brgy. San Juan, Kalayaan, Laguna
- Sumulong Park, Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo, Rizal
- No. 2 Nursery Road, Brgy. Sta. Ana, San Mateo, Rizal
- Rodriguez Gymnasium, Rodriguez, Rizal
- Old Municipal Building, Brgy. Calumoang, Binangonan, Rizal
- PHLPost, Liwasang Bonifacio, Intramuros, Manila
- PNP Eastern Police District, Armal Commercial Building, Pasig City
-jpv
