By Stephanie Sevillano

MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said cheaper rice options under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Rice for All will be available in supermarkets on the second week of February.
These include RFA 5, or the 5 percent broken which sells at PHP45/kg.; RFA 25, or the 25 percent broken at PHP38/kg.; RFA 100, also known as Sulit rice or 100 percent broken at PHP36/kg.; and P29, or the aging but good quality rice stock of the National Food Authority sold to vulnerable sectors at PHP29/kg.
This came following his meeting with major supermarket chains and convenience stores on Jan. 21, which gained positive feedback.
“Well, I’m hoping Feb. 15 or latest March,” he said in a dinner interview Thursday.
“There will be another meeting with FTI (Food Terminal Incorporated) with them. Then after that, another meeting na kapag na-sort out ng ang details, another meeting with me.”
Tiu Laurel, however, said they are yet to finalize the prices of RFA options, considering a possible markup due to packaging.
“There’s a chance that it might be a little bit more but we’re trying to keep it at par,” he said.
Tiu Laurel said RFA options may be sold in sacks or two-kilogram packaging.
“Mayroon outlets na pwedeng takal kasi may space. Sa mga outlets na walang takal maybe nga mas mataas ng konti ang presyo kasi ilalagay namin sa (There are outlets with spaces which can do retail. But for other outlets, maybe the price is slightly higher because we will put it in) two kilo bags,” he said, citing at least PHP1/kg price difference for other possible packaging of 5-kg and 3-kg.
In terms of areas of implementation, the DA said it would be up to the convenience stores and supermarkets.
“One convenience store, they have 200 stores. Then up to Pampanga, up to Bulacan, so, depende na sa kanila saan ang reach (depending on their reach),” Tiu Laurel said.
He, however, clarified that not all stores are required to put up RFA options due to limitations of spaces. (PNA)