Manila — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to launch the "Rice for All" program this July, following directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to provide affordable rice across the Philippines. The initiative aims to sell rice at significantly reduced prices to the general public, enhancing food security and easing the cost of living.
According to Philippines News Agency, the program details will be finalized this week, with an initial launch planned at Kadiwa sites already hosting the P29 program. This program currently offers subsidized rice at PHP29 per kilogram to vulnerable sectors, including beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). The "Rice for All" program, however, will extend the accessibility of affordable rice, selling it to the general public at prices ranging from PHP45/kg. to PHP48/kg.
The pilot phase of the P29 program, which started on July 5, currently operates in 10 Kadiwa stores across various locations including Quezon City, Malate, Manila, Taguig City, Las Piñas, Marikina, Caloocan, Valenzuela, and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. "We want this (Rice for All) to be a sustainable and long-gestating program. Our target is until the end of the term of President," de Mesa emphasized.
The Rice for All program will utilize a mix of imported and locally sourced well-milled rice from partner farmer cooperatives and private traders. The pricing strategy may benefit from the declining trend in the global rice market, with the possibility of selling rice at even lower prices in the future. From USD543 per metric ton in May, the price dropped to USD531 in June. Consequently, the landed cost of imported rice could be between PHP38/kg. and PHP40/kg., significantly lower than the PHP48/kg. to PHP50/kg. range seen when prices were at USD600/MT in December 2023.
De Mesa also mentioned the consideration of a purchase limit for the Rice for All program to prevent potential abuse, such as bulk buying for resale at higher prices. The DA had previously implemented a 10-kilogram limit in 5-kilo increments per household under the P29 program.
Efforts are underway to expand both the P29 and Rice for All programs to the Visayas and Mindanao by August, in collaboration with local government units. Logistics and location choices are also being evaluated to ensure optimal public access.
Currently, there are 472 Kadiwa stores nationwide, which include a variety of formats such as regular stores, pop-up stores, mobile units, and dedicated centers, ensuring widespread availability of affordable rice.