The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is eyeing partnerships with the country’s major retail companies to expand the availability of affordable rice nationwide.
In a statement on Thursday, Jan. 23, the DA said this initiative aims to stabilize rice prices and provide greater access for Filipino households.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel had a meeting with representatives from supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
“This is a solution that we believe will stabilize rice prices faster and more efficiently. But we need to find the right balance to operationalize this properly and secure everyone’s cooperation,” said Laurel.
The DA said it is considering over 3,200 retail outlets across the country, including SM, Robinsons, Puregold, 7-Eleven, and MerryMart.
It noted that these retail chains are crucial in reaching millions of consumers on a daily basis.
The agency said this program will be piloted in Metro Manila, wherein rice prices were monitored to remain high.
This shall include the P29-per-kilo rice, which will only be available for the country’s vulnerable sectors.
The P29 rice, which comes from aging stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA), was launched last year under the government’s Kadiwa Ng Pangulo (KNP) program.
Additionally, retail stores will also have access to the DA’s Rice-for-All (RFA) program, which was also implemented through Kadiwa centers.
This will offer various rice grades, including RFA5 or the 5 percent broken priced at P45-per-kilo; RFA 25 or the 25 percent broken at P38; and RFA 100 or the 100 percent broken at P36.
Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a state-owned corporation, shall handle the supply and packaging of rice distributed through participating retail stores.
The agriculture secretary said the pilot initiative will be monitored over several months before the agency considers a potential expansion to other regions with high rice prices.
“The DA is optimistic that this collaboration will serve as a model for future efforts to enhance food security and affordability,” added Laurel.
Earlier, the agency urged the Metro Manila Council to authorize the development of new KNP centers.
Laurel, in particular, wants to expand the stores across 150 public and private markets.
At present, such establishments are only present in 20 markets in Metro Manila.
The KNP, implemented by the DA, provides the public with affordable goods through farmers’ direct selling of goods to consumers.