By Marita Moaje

(PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) vowed to further expand Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) kiosks under the Rice-for-All program to provide affordable rice to more Filipino households.

On Friday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. visited the Pasay City Public Market in Libertad Street, together with Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, to oversee the continued rollout of the KNP kiosks which offer well-milled rice at PHP40 per kilo

“We will continue to expand these Kadiwa kiosks to more cities and municipalities in the coming weeks to ensure that rice prices reflect true market conditions, especially following President (Ferdinand R.) Marcos’ (Jr.) decision to reduce tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent in July,” Laurel said in a media interview.

He said the KNP kiosks, which started offering affordable rice at Light Rail Transit-2’s Cubao (Quezon City) and Recto (Manila) stations, at Metro Rail Transit-3’s North Avenue (Quezon City) and Ayala Avenue (Makati) stations, and in five public markets (Maypajo Market in Caloocan City, Murphy Market and Cloverleaf Balintawak in Quezon City, La Huerta Market in Parañaque City, and Trabajo Market in Sampaloc, Manila) will soon be available in more locations.

KNP kiosks at train stations operate Tuesday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. or until supplies last, while those in public markets are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Laurel said that in the coming weeks, KNP kiosks will also be available in all the cities in Metro Manila.

He shared that Rubiano suggested putting up a KNP kiosk at the Pasay city hall, where most residents do their transactions with the city government.

“So, starting Monday, unahin natin ang Pasay maglagay tayo ng Kadiwa ng Pangulo na rice store dun and after, in 16 cities, lalagyan na rin natin (we will start with Pasay and we will put up a rice store there, and after, in all the 16 cities) next week,” Laurel said.

Additionally, he shared that by January 2025, he expects to have an estimated 150 stores outside Metro Manila.

Laurel said KNP kiosks selling PHP40 rice per kilo in public markets also help pull down the price of rice in nearby private stalls.

Meanwhile, Teresita Bonifacio, a retail seller from La Huerta Market, shared her positive experience with the program.

“The rice arrives before 7 a.m. and after delivery, it’s quickly bought because it’s good quality. On some days, we sell out all 50 sacks by 10 a.m., so we immediately replenish our stock,” she said.

Laurel said the Rice-for-All program is aside from the P29 program, which sells aging but good quality stocks of National Food Authority rice for PHP29/kg. to members of the vulnerable sector, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and solo parents.

“The DA will be unrelenting in pushing this program to keep rice traders and retailers honest, and ensure consumers aren’t taken advantage of by unscrupulous businessmen,” Laurel said. (PNA)