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Metro Manila KADIWA Centers Sell Rice at PHP 29 Per Kilo to Combat High Food Prices


MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to reduce retail rice prices across the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded the KADIWA Program in Metro Manila, setting up centers that sell rice at PHP 29 per kilo.



According to Philippines News Agency, these KADIWA Centers not only offer affordable rice but also provide other basic necessities and prime commodities at reduced prices, including fish, eggs, onions, garlic, and fresh produce. The PHP 29 per kilo rice is available at several locations in Metro Manila: the ADC Building of the Department of Agriculture – Central Office in Quezon City, the KADIWA Center inside the Bureau of Plant Industry in Malate, Manila, KADIWA Store on Llano Road in Barangay 167, Caloocan City, KADIWA Store in AMVA Housing on La Mesa Street in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City, and the KADIWA Center in the PhilFIDA Compound on Aria Street in Talon Dos, Las Piñas City.



The DA has stipulated that each household may purchase up to five kilos of rice from these centers, subject to availability, with the supply affected by factors such as transportation, packaging, and logistics. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to produce over 100 million kilos of rice by August this year through a contract farming agreement with Farmers’ Cooperatives Associations (FCAs).



Currently, the country hosts 265 regular KADIWA stores and 119 KADIWA pop-up stores that operate according to consumer demand schedules. The KADIWA program, a key initiative under the Marcos administration, aims to address rising food prices while providing a platform for farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to sell their products directly to consumers at lower prices by eliminating unnecessary trading layers.



Additionally, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced his intent to certify as urgent the proposed amendments to Republic Act 11203, known as the rice tariffication law, to further lower rice prices. This legislative move follows discussions in both the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding solutions that would permit the government to manage rice imports more effectively, ultimately aiming to reduce rice prices nationwide.

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