P29/kg rice open for sale to poor, seniors, PWDs, solo parents

Rice sold for P29 per kilo in Kadiwa stores is now strictly limited to targeted sectors, including beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents.

To ensure that these sectors are prioritized, consumers who wish to avail of this rice are required to present their identification card.

Jacinta Agatlao, a solo parent and mother to nine children, was one of the many who availed of the rice privilege.

"Talagang mahal diyan sa amin, hindi makabili minsan eh, kulang binibili namin," Agatlao said.

(Rice is really expensive in our place. Sometimes we're unable to buy. We can't buy enough.)

The Kadiwa store in Quezon City is able to sell an equivalent of over 60 sacks per day, but supply runs out before noon.

Senior citizen Lilia Emanob on Wednesday arrived late and was unable to purchase. "Naubos na kaya pipila na naman ako ngayon eh kaso wala na," she said.

According to Agriculture assistant secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa, this project aims to alleviate the high cost of rice by benefiting targeted sectors.

"Ang intention nu'n ay para talaga sa mga targeted beneficiaries natin, mostly 'yung mga mahihirap at saka mga senior at mga solo parents. That's about 30% of the total population."

(The intention is to sell the rice to target beneficiaries, mostly to the poor, seniors and solo parents. That's about 30% of the total population.)

The Agriculture department is looking at the possibility of expanding this project to be able to reach out to more consumers.

The Rice Tariffication law (RTL), which took effect on March 5, 2019, allows unlimited importation of rice as long as private sector traders secure a phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry and pay the 35% tariff for shipments from neighbors in Southeast Asia.

Signed into law by former President Rodrigo Duterte, the law earmarks P10 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), of which P5 billion will be allotted to farm mechanization and P3 billion to seedlings. The fund intends to ensure that rice imports would not drown out the agriculture sector and rob farmers of their livelihood. — VDV, GMA Integrated News