Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure affordable rice for Filipinos, the government has announced that one million sacks of milled rice are readily available for distribution through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.
“Ang total natin, we have one million sacks available na milled rice na iyon, merely milled rice,” Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel announced in a briefing in Malacañang on Monday.
Tiu Laurel said shipments from Mindoro have already reached Cebu, while Bohol is scheduled to receive its supply this week.
According to Tiu Laurel, there are already 37 participating local government units (LGUs) in Cebu alone. They sold nearly 12,000 sacks this week. Tiu Laurel said 34 Kadiwa stores have already begun operations, noting that people are happy with the program.
The DA said they will address the queuing process during distribution to improve the experience further. This includes adding chairs, electric fans, and tents for shade.
“Alam ninyo naman mainit ngayon kaya ia-address natin iyan para maging mas maganda iyong experience ng ating mga mamimili,” Laurel said.
The DA is also preparing to launch Phase 2 of the Kadiwa program this July, focusing on high-poverty areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Basilan, Maguindanao Del Norte, Maguindanao Del Sur, Cotabato City, Tawi-Tawi, Davao Oriental, and Sorsogon.
By next month, the number of Kadiwa outlets will increase to 55.
Laurel also clarified that the rice sold is part of the National Food Authority (NFA) buffer stock acquired through the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
He said the government has not yet spent additional funds for the program besides logistics costs.
“Sa ngayon ang stocks natin ngayon ng palay is noong nagsasabi ako 300,000 tons na, ngayon nasa 400 plus thousand na,” Laurel said.
“So, lahat iyan is iyong NFA na bigas na binili galing sa GAA namin… Iyan pa rin iyong bigas na binibenta natin so technically except for the logistics of it wala pang nilalabas na dagdag pera ang gobyerno natin while selling this rice,” he added.
The DA aims to serve 15 million families or about 60 million Filipinos by 2028. | PND
