EXPANDED KADIWA. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. leads the expansion activity of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City on Friday (Oct. 11, 2024). He assured the public of sufficient stocks of rice in 41 expanded Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites in Luzon. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)
MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday assured consumers of sufficient stock of mixed imported and local well-milled rice worth PHP43 per kilogram under the expanded Rice for All program.
This came as the Department of Agriculture (DA) expanded its Rice for All and P29 program or the sale of aging but good quality stocks of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) worth PHP29/kg in 41 Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites in Luzon.
Tiu Laurel said the agency has stocks that can last until early next year following the initial large-scale trial of the Rice for All and P29 programs in 21 existing Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites.
“Base sa run rate niya, meron na kami stocks hanggang Enero, Pebrero (Based on its run rate, we still have stocks until January, February [2025]),” he said in an ambush interview in Mandaluyong City.
“Unless na biglang naging popular nito talaga at hopefully nga maging popular at sumipa yung pagbili ng tao (Unless it becomes too popular, which hopefully it will be popular so the consumers’ buying will spike), then I'm confident we can supply,” he added.
Among the expanded Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites as of Friday are:
- Ocean Fish - Barangay 8, Caloocan
- Barangay 28 Zone 3 Caloocan City - Site 1
- Barangay 28 Zone 3 Caloocan City - Site 2
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Longos, Malabon City
- Kalt Alles - Navotas Fish Port Complex-Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, North Bay Boulevard, Navotas
- 18 Tuazon, Brgy. Potrero, Malabon
- Kalt Alles - Potrero, Malabon
- Sauyo, Quezon City
- Barangay Canlubang, Calamba,, Laguna Compound
- Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong
- Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong City
- Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City
- Bayani Fernando Central Terminal or BFCT Bagsakan, No. 1 Marcos Hiway, Marikina City
- Barangay Tañong, Marikina
- Fortune Barangay Hall, Barangay Fortune, Marikina City
- Concepcion Uno Barangay Hall, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City
- Lot 12 Blk 4 R Thaddeus St. Marietta Romeo Village Brgy. Sta. Lucia Pasig City
- No 4 Geronimo, Philand Drive, Brgy Pasong Tamo, QC
- Zamora St. Cor A. Bonifacio, Brgy Sta. Lucia, Quezon City
- Alley 4, Bulacan St., Brgy. Payatas B, Quezon City
Before the year ends, the DA is planning to open 169 Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites nationwide.
As of Oct. 9, the DA has already benefited 142,829 households with around 126,000 kg. of rice sold under the Rice for All, and 723,000 kg. under the P29 program.
Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, urged the public not to abuse the Rice for All program even if there is no purchase limit.
“Baka bilhin dito ng mura, tapos ibenta naman din sa kabilang lugar nang mahal. So, kung pwedeng panawagan sa tao na kung pwedeng for home consumption lang, huwag gawing negosyo (They might buy here at a cheaper price then sell it in other areas at a higher price. So, we are calling to buyers to use it for home consumption only, don’t make it a business),” he said.
The P29 program, meanwhile, carries a 10-kg. in 5-kg.-increment purchase limit per household of the vulnerable sector, including senior citizens, members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipinong Program (4Ps), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents. (PNA)
