Romualdez: Program for cheap rice a step to slash hunger

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez says the government’s Program 29, where rice would be sold at P29 per kilogram to vulnerable sectors of the country, is a step toward reducing hunger. COMPOSITE IMAGE INQUIRER STOCK PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the government’s Program 29, where rice would be sold at P29 per kilogram to vulnerable sectors of the country, is a step toward reducing hunger.

Romualdez issued the remark Friday, as he revealed that efforts are being made to expand the program nationwide to accommodate more individuals who may need cheaper rice.

“The P29 Rice Program demonstrates President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.’s) dedication to tackling inflation and enhancing food security.  Offering rice at P29 per kilo to our most vulnerable citizens is a vital step in reducing hunger and improving the quality of life for millions of Filipinos,” he said.  “This initiative ensures that affordable rice reaches those who need it most.”

“In the coming months, the government aims to double the number of distribution sites and extend this initiative to the Visayas and Mindanao, ultimately reaching 6.9 million families across the country,” he added.

READ: Gov’t rolls out ‘P29 per kilo’ rice program for low-income folk

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said that for the next six months, the P29 per kilogram of rice would initially be available to Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila and Bulacan province every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

However, DA clarified that the rice would not be sold to the general public, but only to “vulnerable” segments of the society, which includes senior citizens, single parents, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The DA said the P29 per kilogram rice can be accessible at the following sites:

• Bureau of Animal Industry and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Quezon City
• Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila
• Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig City
• Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority in Las Piñas
• Kadiwa centers in Caloocan City
• Kadiwa centers in Valenzuela City
• Barangay Fortune and BF City in Marikina City
• San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan

As the goal is to make discounted rice available to about 6.9 million low-income households, each family can only buy up to 10 kilograms of rice per month.

READ: Farmers’ group says Neda to blame for decline in rice importation

Romualdez said the program shows the Marcos administration’s dedication to improving the lives of the people.

“This initiative is a key component of the government’s comprehensive strategy to combat inflation and ensure food security for all Filipinos,” he said.

“These programs reflect President Marcos’ strategic vision and dedication to the well-being of our people. Together, we are making significant strides towards a future where every Filipino has access to affordable, nutritious food,” he added.

Romualdez also assured the public that government agencies would monitor the selling of cheaper rice to avoid abuse of Program 29 and ensure that more families could take advantage of the initiative.

“Government agencies are uniting to prevent misuse and guarantee that the program effectively reaches its intended recipients,” he said.  “Through collaboration with local government units and barangays, the government will ensure fair and efficient distribution.”

“Through the P29 Project and other market-stabilizing programs, we are not only making rice more affordable but also ensuring that our farmers receive the necessary support to thrive,” Speaker Romualdez stressed. “This is a comprehensive effort to enhance our food security and uplift the lives of all Filipinos.”

Romualdez has promised cheaper rice in the past, but he said it would entail the amendment of Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Last April 30, he said prices of rice may go down by as high as P15 per kilogram if the RTL is amended. The House of Representatives was able to approve the proposed RTL changes before session adjourned in May, but a counterpart measure was still being deliberated at the committee-level in the Senate.

On June 24, Romualdez said that rice prices will go down to around P46 per kilogram as he and other lawmakers were able to secure the commitment of stakeholders that savings brought by the lower tariffs will be passed on to consumers.