DA to launch P20/kg rice in Metro Manila Kadiwa stores after midterm polls

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture will launch the P20-per-kilogram rice program in some Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila after the midterm polls amid the election spending ban.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made the announcement in a chance interview in a forum in Makati City on Wednesday, April 30.

Tiu Laurel said the target date may be on May 13, a day after the elections.

The DA, however, will push through with introducing the subsidized rice in Cebu’s Kadiwa stores on Thursday, a day before the 10-day ban on “ayuda” [aid] distribution, said Tiu Laurel.

Malacañang also announced that everyone in Cebu, not only the vulnerable sectors, can avail the P20 per kilogram of rice only on Thursday’s launch.

Tiu Laurel said a “minimum of 12,000 sacks” will be distributed to government-run outlets in Cebu.

Initial roll-out in Metro Manila will be in eight Kadiwa centers, namely, Agribusiness Development Center, Bureau of Animal Industry, and Philippine National Police Camp Crame in Quezon City; Bureau of Plant Industry in Malate, Manila; Philippine Fiber Industry in Las Piñas; Bagong Sibol Market in Marikina City; Disciplina Village in Ugong, Valenzuela City; and Navotas City Hall in Navotas.