The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded its Rice-for-All program, which offers rice at ₱40 per kilo, by adding more public markets and train stations to ensure affordable rice is accessible to more Filipinos.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the rollout of “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” kiosks at the Pasay City Public Market on Friday, Dec. 13.
The agency said that the kiosks sell well-milled rice at ₱40 per kilo as part of President Marcos Jr.'s initiative to provide affordable rice options.
“The [Rice-for-All] program…is a realization of President Bongbong Marcos’ vision to provide affordable rice options to more Filipinos. This program is separate from the ₱29 rice initiative, which specifically supports vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigents,” said Laurel.
The agriculture chief emphasized that the DA aims to broaden the reach of KADIWA kiosks to additional cities and municipalities in the coming weeks, ensuring that rice prices accurately reflect prevailing market conditions.
Laurel added that the initiative complements the President’s move to lower rice tariffs to 15 percent back in July.
From its initial launch at five markets and select train stations in August, the Rice-for-All program has now expanded to nine new locations.
These include public markets in Maypajo (Caloocan), Murphy and Cloverleaf Balintawak (Quezon City), La Huerta (Parañaque), and Trabajo (Sampaloc, Manila). The program also now serves key train stations such as Cubao (LRT-2), Recto (LRT-2), North Avenue (MRT-3), and Ayala Avenue (MRT-3).
The Rice-for-All program operates under the DA’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative, which is supported by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and Food Terminal Inc.