How to keep ‘P20/kilo rice’ drive going
The Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to continue the government’s subsidized rice program next year by forming a technical working group (TWG) for the initiative that offers the staple for only P20 per kilo.
Under the agency’s Special Order No. 740, the TWG will find ways to ensure the availability of high-quality rice for the program and its efficient distribution to target areas, while minimizing costs.
It will also coordinate with other agencies, local government units and farmers’ groups to make the project more sustainable.
In an interview on dzBB over the weekend, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said discussions had already begun on these next steps.
The DA first launched the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na Program” in Cebu early this month—fulfilling President Marcos’ three-year-old campaign promise to bring down retail prices of rice to P20 a kilo.
The agency expanded its reach to include Kadiwa centers in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said the DA was planning to open 50 to 55 more Kadiwa centers, the government-run food outlets, for the program next month.
Under the project, the Food Terminal Inc. and the participating LGU will equally split the P13 per kg subsidy. The rice is being sourced from the National Food Authority’s stocks bought from local farmers.
Beneficiaries are allowed to buy up to 30 kg of rice per month.
