Rice can now be bought for 29 pesos per kilo at Kadiwa Centers in Metro Manila. The Department of Agriculture aims to expand this initiative nationwide.

Courtesy: PTV

Nanay Estrellita, who buys rice for 56 pesos per kilo in the market, finds it heavy on her budget, especially with her bedridden husband.

She couldn’t help but cry when she saw rice being sold for 29 pesos per kilo at the Kadiwa Center in Metro Manila.

“This is equivalent to two kilos, so we’ll just have to make do,” said Shopper Estrellita Dorato.

(Equivalent na lang dito, edi dalawang kilo, o, edi magtiyaga na lang.)

The Kadiwa Center is a government program showcasing and selling farmers’ and cooperatives’ products at affordable prices.

Currently, only Kadiwa Centers in Metro Manila and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, sell rice at this price.

The program aims to assist senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, and 4Ps beneficiaries.

The Department of Agriculture now targets expanding this program to all Kadiwa Centers nationwide.

“It’s in our pipeline because our goal is to have one in every province. In the coming months, we aim to establish more, said Consumer and Legislative Affairs, Department of Agriculture Asec. Genevieve Guevarra.

(Nasa pipeline po natin kasi ang goal natin is mayroon tayo pee province, in the coming months mayroon tayong maitayo.)

For ordinary consumers, the target is to reduce the price per kilo from 45 pesos to 48 pesos.

“Our intention is really to provide access to affordable rice for everyone,” said Department of Agriculture Asec. Arnel De Mesa.

(Ang intensiyon talaga natin magkaroon ng access ang lahat sa murang bigas.)

The rice sold at Kadiwa Centers comes from accredited cooperatives and traders of the Department of Agriculture.