Affordable rice priced at P29 per kilogram is now exclusively available to specific groups including beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents through Kadiwa stores.
To prioritize these sectors, consumers must present their identification card to avail of this subsidized rice.
Jacinta Agatlao, a solo parent and mother of nine, is one of many who benefit from this initiative. “Rice is really expensive in our place. Sometimes we’re unable to buy enough,” she shared.
Despite the high demand, the Kadiwa store in Quezon City manages to sell over 60 sacks of rice daily, often running out before noon. Senior citizen Lilia Emanob arrived late on Wednesday and missed out. “The rice was already sold out, so I’ll have to try again,” she said.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa explained the project’s goal is to mitigate the high cost of rice for targeted beneficiaries. “The intention is to sell the rice to target beneficiaries, mostly to the poor, seniors, and solo parents. That’s about 30% of the total population,” he said.
The Agriculture department is considering expanding the project to reach more consumers.
The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), effective since March 5, 2019, permits unlimited rice importation, provided private traders secure a phytosanitary permit and pay a 35% tariff on imports from Southeast Asia. Signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte, the law allocates P10 billion to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), with P5 billion for farm mechanization and P3 billion for seedlings. This fund aims to protect the agriculture sector and safeguard farmers’ livelihoods amid rice imports.