The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have launched a major partnership to bring President Marcos’ “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” Rice-For-All (RFA) and “P20 Benteng Bigas Meron” (BBM) Na programs directly into public schools, ensuring teachers and school personnel have easier access to affordable rice and fresh produce.

In a statement issued Friday, November 28, DepEd said Secretary Sonny Angara and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding, formalizing the initiative that will establish Kadiwa Centers within DepEd schools and division offices nationwide.

Under the agreement, teaching and non-teaching personnel—as well as other qualified beneficiaries—may redeem P20 rice and discounted agricultural products sourced from accredited farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives.

The move supports the President’s push to expand food accessibility and strengthen social protection for Filipino families.

“Lubos ang ating pasasalamat kay Pangulong Bongbong at kay Sec. Kiko dahil ang ganitong mga inisyatiba ay konkretong tulong sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino (We extend our deepest gratitude to President Bongbong and Secretary Kiko because initiatives like these are concrete assistance to every Filipino family),” Angara said.

“Full support ang DepEd upang masigurong may puwang ang Kadiwa Centers sa ating mga paaralan—para sa kapakanan ng ating mga guro, magulang, at mag-aaral (DepEd gives its full support to ensure that Kadiwa Centers have space in our schools—for the welfare of our teachers, parents, and students),” he added.

According to DA’s guidelines under Department Circular 10 series of 2025, as amended by Circular 11, priority RFA beneficiaries include senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, 4Ps households, farmers, farmworkers, and fisherfolk.

Through the new MOU, DepEd’s public school personnel are now formally recognized as eligible beneficiaries as well.

DepEd will conduct on-site validation of eligible personnel during Kadiwa selling days and coordinate monthly distribution schedules. The DA, meanwhile, will ensure consistent supply and quality of rice and produce from local suppliers and cooperatives.

Both agencies are also committed to joint monitoring, harmonized planning, and setting mechanisms to gather beneficiary feedback to maintain program integrity and ensure smooth access for teachers and staff.

The partnership reinforces DepEd’s broader nutrition and food security efforts, including the School-Based Feeding Program and the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program, by ensuring school communities have dependable access to affordable staples and fresh produce.

The initiative also aligns with the President’s SONA directives to bolster food security and supports national goals on nutrition, poverty reduction, and sustainable development—particularly Sustainable Development Goal No. 2: Zero Hunger.