President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced this Wednesday that the country would soon achieve the P20 price per kilo of rice, which was one of his promises during the campaign.
Marcos announced the launch of “Kadiwa ng Pasko,” a government program to allow the public to buy cheap but quality goods directly from farmers, fishermen, and small businesses.
According to Marcos, the price of rice sold at stalls in Kadiwa and the National Food Authority is around P25 per kilo.
“Nakita niyo, ang bigas, P25. Palapit na tayo doon sa ating pangarap na mag-P20. Pero dahan-dahan lang, aabutin din natin ‘yan,” said Marcos.
Although the government is said to be unable to do anything about the high inflation brought on by events outside the country, Marcos promised to address the increase in commodity prices through initiatives such as “Kadiwa ng Pasko.”
In total, 11 Kadiwa sites were opened in Metro Manila and one each in Tacloban City, Koronadal City, and Davao de Oro.
The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) called for Kadiwa sites to be made permanent in Metro Manila to help consumers and farmers.
The group also appealed that other products, such as pork and poultry, are also included.
P20/kilo rice will soon be reached: President Marcos
“Kung puwede gumawa ng fixed na store sa mga itong Metro Manila area para at least ‘yung mga magsasaka, puwedeng mabagsak doon sa area,” said Sinag President Rosendo So.
Marcos promised to open more Kadiwa sites in different parts of the country.
Based on the Department of Agriculture’s monitoring of rice pricing in Metro Manila, local commercial rice is at P38 to P50 per kilo while:
- Special (blue tag) – P50
- Premium (yellow tag) – P45
- Well-milled (white tag) – P40
- Regular-milled (white tag) – P38
In June, Agrarian Reform Secretary Bernie Cruz stated that consumers might buy a kilo of rice for P20 as early as next year.
Cruz defined a mega farm as a collection of contiguous farms combined to make a big plantation capable of producing large quantities.
According to the DAR, a mega farm should consist of a producing center or area with at least 50 hectares of contiguous or nearby agrarian reform holdings.
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