By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In line with the campaign promise of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of lower price of the country’s staple food, consumers will now be able to buy well-milled rice at P45 per kilo in some Kadiwa Stores starting Thursday (01 August 2024).
This was announced on Wednesday (31 July 2024) by the Department of Agriculture.
“Ang presyo, ikukumpara natin, ‘yong commercial well-milled rice na imported ay P51 to P55. ‘Yong local natin is P45 to P55. So nasa lower range tayo noon ay P45 per kilo,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said.
He added that the official launch of the government’s Rice for All Program aims to sell rice at prices lower than prevailing market prices.
Well-milled rice priced at P45 per kilo will initially be available in four Kadiwa sites: FTI Taguig, Caloocan, Barangay Potrero in Malabon, and Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila, the DA said.
The DA also said buyers are limited to 25 kilos each to avoid hoarding rice stocks. De Mesa said stocks for well-milled rice to be sold in Kadiwa sites will be from commercial stakeholders.
“Could be imported, could be local depende sa mga traders na magpa-participate… Kung ano ‘yong well-milled na nakikita natin sa palengke na magandang klase, ‘yon ‘yong well-milled for Rice for All, unlike itong P29 natin na aging NFA stocks,” De Mesa quipped.
(el Amigo/mnm)
