The P29/kilo rice will also be made available in Visayas and Mindanao in the following two months.
In an announcement issued on Friday, July 5, by the Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., he said it was their aim to have more KADIWA centers participate in Program 29 by the end of August to early September after it has undergone its trial period.
"Our goal is to expand the number of Kadiwa centers offering rice at P29 per kilo in the coming weeks and to extend this network to the Visayas and Mindanao," Laurel said.
The trial period was launched on Friday, which included ten KADIWA outlets in Metro Manila and Bulacan, to prepare for a nationwide roll-out of cheap rice from the National Food Authority's (NFA) stocks and incoming imports.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and its affiliates are also working towards reducing the price of well-milled rice for better accessibility to the public.
"This trial period presents a crucial opportunity to gather comprehensive data on various aspects including demand, supply and logistics that would ensure the success of the full implementation of P29 Rice Program, an initiative spearheaded by President Marcos to ease the burden of high prices on essential goods, particularly rice, for the poor, senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities," the secretary said.
