Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains optimistic that rice will eventually be sold for around ₱20 per kilogram under his administration, saying on Wednesday that the country is inching closer to that goal despite rising prices.
During the launch of the Kadiwa ng Pasko caravan in Mandaluyong City, Marcos noted that the staple sells for ₱25/kilo in one of the Kadiwa stores.
“Palapit na tayo do’n sa aking pangarap na mag-₱20 [We’re nearing my dream of P20 per kilo],” Marcos said, referring to his campaign promise to bring down the price of rice.
“Pero dahan-dahan lang [But we’ll work on it slowly],” added the president, who is also Agriculture chief. “Abutin din natin ‘yan, pero marami pa tayong gawin [We’ll eventually reach that, but there’s still a lot to be done].”
Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) this week showed the commodity sells in Metro Manila markets at ₱38-₱50 per kilogram, depending on the kind.
This was the same price range on June 30, when Marcos assumed the presidency.
Meanwhile, the chief executive also said he intends to expand the Kadiwa program, which allows consumers to buy agricultural products at lower prices. It also aims to provide a market to farmers and fishermen, as well as small businesses.
“Itong Kadiwa, nakakamura ito dahil ang pamahalaan bumibili diretso sa supplier. Lahat ng transport cost, lahat ng mga ganyang klase na kailangan bayaran, ang gobyerno na ang gumagalaw,” Marcos said.
[Translation: Kadiwa sells goods at cheaper prices because the government directly buys from suppliers. All transport costs and other such expenses are shouldered by the government.]
According to the Office of the Press Secretary, 14 Kadiwa sites were opened simultaneously across the country on Wednesday. Eleven are in Metro Manila, one in Tacloban City, one in Davao De Oro, and one in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
