The Department of Agriculture will soon set up Kadiwa stores at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations to expand the reach of affordable rice to as many Filipino consumers.

DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said MRT and LRT stations are among the areas where the Kadiwa stores are planned to be expanded and will feature kiosks that will sell P40 per kilo rice.

She said the Kadiwa stores at LRT and MRT stations would be available between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The objective is provide affordable rice options for consumers and help curb high retail prices,” said Guevarra who heads the Kadiwa program.

Initially priced at P45 per kilo, grains sold under the Rice-for-All program has been reduced to P43 recently.

Guevarra said the price will be reduced further starting Thursday to a more affordable rate of P40 a kilo as part of efforts to shield consumers from inflationary pressures.

Aside from MRT and LRT stations, Guevarra said Kadiwa stores will also be set up in major public markets in Metro Manila.

Among them are Kamuning Market, Malabon Central Market, New Las Piñas City Public Market, Pasay City Public Market, Balintawak Market, Cartimar Market, Pateros Grace Marketplace, Maypajo Public Market and Paco Market.

DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier ordered the deployment of Kadiwa ng Pangulo kiosks to major public markets to force rice retailers and unscrupulous traders who refuse to pass onto consumers the benefit of lower rice prices.

He added that this will reinforce President Marcos’ approval of an additional P5 billion budget to support the P29 and Rice-for-All programs.