MANILA -- Consumers will be able to buy well-milled rice at P45 per kilo in some Kadiwa Stores starting August 1, the Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday. 

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa announced the official launch of the government’s Rice for All Program which aims to sell rice at prices lower than prevailing market prices. 

“Ang presyo, ikukumpara natin, ‘yong commercial well-milled rice na imported ay P51 to P55. ‘Yong local natin is P45 to P55. So nasa lower range tayo noongk inuya ay P45 per kilo,” De Mesa explained.

Well-milled rice priced at P45 per kilo will initially be available in four Kadiwa sites: FTI Taguig, Caloocan, Barangay Potrero in Malabon, and Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila, the DA said. 

Buyers are limited to 25 kilos each to avoid hoarding rice stocks. De Mesa said stocks for well-milled rice to be sold in Kadiwa sites will be from commercial stakeholders.

“Could be imported, could be local depende sa mga traders na magpa-participate… Kung ano ‘yong well-milled na nakikita natin sa palengke na magandang kalse, ‘yon ‘yong well-milled for Rice for All, unlike itong P29 natin na aging NFA stocks,” De Mesa said.

The said sites will also sell premium rice at P52 per kilo. 

Lower rice prices are offered in Kadiwa sites as goods are directly sourced from farmers, according to De Mesa.

“Wala kami ‘yong procurement. Kung baga, ano to, usapan between DA, FTI, at saka nitong mga traders. Kasi, through Kadiwa ito. Similar doon sa mga farmers natin na directly nagtitinda sa Kadiwa itong procurement. Hindi kami nag-procure ng bigas,” De Mesa said.

The schedule for selling rice with lower prices in Kadiwa sites has been moved to Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Currently, 17 Kadiwa sites offer P29 per kilo sourced from aging stocks of the National Food Authority.

Agri chief eyes wider, year-long trial for P29 rice

Rice inflation also slowed slightly to 22.5 percent in June, from 23 percent in May.