Metro Manila, Philippines — Supply was not enough in kiosks selling affordable rice under a government program launched in some public markets in Metro Manila on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The “rice for all” sells the staple for P40 per kilogram to tame retail prices, but demand in the five participating public markets was “unusually high,” agriculture officials said.
They told a news conference on Wednesday that stocks would be replenished throughout the launch day, but this did not happen.
Consumers lined up at “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” kiosks before 8 a.m.
Matilde Cristobal, a retailer selling cheap rice, did not have a kiosk but and had to display the stock with other varieties.
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Cristobal told NewsWatch Plus she was only given ten 25-kg sacks for the day. She had to limit sales in the morning to save some for the afternoon customers.
“Limited ang bigay sa amin limited din naman ibebenta,” said Cristobal at the Guadalupe Public Market in Mandaluyong City.
[Translation: We were given limited supply, so we can only sell in limited portions.]
In a news release, the Agriculture Department said supply ran out fast at the Pasay City Public Market and New Las Piñas Market.
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This is one of the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” kiosks inside the Guadalupe Public Market, Mandaluyong City where the public can buy ₱40/kg of rice. For the 1st day of the rollout, some retailers have limited the selling to 5kg per customer due to limited stocks | @JeloMantaring pic.twitter.com/I3J1KlwrQl
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) December 5, 2024
