On Friday, July 5, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will launch a large-scale trial of “Program 29”, which is aimed at providing high-quality rice for an affordable price of P29, in Metro Manila and Bulacan.
Once fully implemented, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the “Program 29” will benefit around 6.9 million households, which he said, represents around 35 million Filipinos across the country.
Based on the program, at least 10 Kadiwa stores in the National Capital Region and Bulacan province will be tapped to participate in the trial program where rice will be sold at P29 per kilo every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday initially.
The identified Kadiwa sites are located in the offices of the Bureau of Animal Industry and National Irrigation Administration in Quezon City; Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila; Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig City; PhilFIDA in Las Pinas; Caloocan City; Valenzuela City; Brgy. Fortune and BF City (BFCT) in Marikina City; and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan.
“The large-scale trial aims to gather comprehensive data on supply, demand, and logistics, essential for the smooth nationwide rollout of the program,” said Laurel.
“During this period, KADIWA will also prepare booklets to monitor rice purchases of P29 beneficiaries, which include senior citizens, single parents, persons with disabilities and beneficiaries of the government’s 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program),” he added.
More to come
Nationwide, Laurel said there are 265 established Kadiwa centers along with 119 pop-up stores operating on scheduled rotations to cater to consumer needs.
“The DA estimates that full implementation of the P29 program will require approximately 69,000 metric tons of rice. This will provide 10 kilos of rice per month at P29 per kilo to the targeted 6.9 million vulnerable households,” said Laurel.
He said rice supplies will come from various sources, including the National Food Authority, the National Irrigation Administration’s rice contract growing project, and potential imports managed by DA-affiliated entities.
“Looking ahead, the DA plans to expand the program to major urban centers nationwide with the support of local government units. By August, the number of participating KADIWA centers is expected to double, enhancing accessibility for economically disadvantaged groups in Metro Manila,” said Laurel.
Laurel said the DA is also planning to sell in KADIWA centers rice that are priced lower compared to market in a program tentatively called “Rice-for-All.”
The programs like P29 and Rice-for-All aim to enhance food security and affordability, aligning with President Marcos’ vision of accessible and affordable rice for all Filipinos.
Abuse prevention
Laurel emphasized the importance of preventing abuse of the program by beneficiaries reselling subsidized rice.
“We appeal to beneficiaries not to take advantage of this program by reselling the P29 rice from Kadiwa centers. We want to ensure that the largest number of those in the vulnerable sectors will benefit from this program,” said Laurel.
For her part, Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, Assistant Secretary for Consumer and Legislative Affairs, urged consumers qualified to participate in the P29 rice program to bring identification cards and reusable containers or bags to minimize plastic usage.
In addition to lower-priced rice at designated centers, Guevarra said consumers can also buy more affordable essential items such as eggs, meat, and vegetables.