Department of Agriculture (DA) reiterated its plan to further slash rice prices in connection with its “Rice-for-All” program to make this staple more affordable for Filipinos.
Middlemen currently sell well-milled rice at P40 per kilo at various Kadiwa outlets across Metro Manila. But DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa disclosed during an interview on PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas program that DA aims to reduce prices to between P38 and P39 per kilo within the month.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has also noted that the “Rice-for-All” initiative is already affecting market prices, with private rice retailers in Metro Manila adjusting their prices to remain competitive.
Far beyond just reducing prices of well-milled rice, DA is also poised to introduce several new initiatives where even cheaper and healthier rice offerings could become available. The “Sulit Rice” program will make available 100% broken rice at P35-P36 per kilo, with “Nutri Rice” to augment the healthier brown rice alternative priced at P37-P38 per kilo.
Both programs will commence in Metro Manila as part of the government’s broader objectives to ensure access to food that is healthy and nutritious for all Filipinos.
These moves show the government’s fiery determination to contain rising food prices by assuring rice, a staple in the Filipino diet, can be afforded by every household.
