The Philippine government is taking steps to ensure the availability and affordability of rice for its citizens. The measures include expanding the distribution of lower-priced rice through Kadiwa kiosks, collaborating with local government units, and standardizing rice labeling.
The government will implement a range of measures to improve the availability and affordability of rice, including expanding the distribution of lower-priced rice and changing labeling rules. More Kadiwa kiosks will be set up in public markets and train stations in Metro Manila, and the Agriculture department is partnering with local government units to ensure the distribution of cheaper rice. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
said, 'We are ensuring that rice reaches every Filipino household at fair and affordable prices, starting with key markets in Metro Manila and, eventually, other regions.' The Kadiwa Rice-for-All program allows the public to purchase rice at P45 per kilo for 5 percent broken rice, P40 for 25 percent broken rice, and P36 for 100 percent broken rice otherwise known as Sulit Rice. A P29/kilo rice program is also available for indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigenous peoples with a 10-kilo monthly limit for each beneficiary. Under a partnership with the Metro Manila Development Council, meanwhile, local governments in the National Capital Region will sell rice stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA) at P38 per kilo. Tiu Laurel said, 'We are committed to bringing down prices to benefit all Filipinos.' Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said that the Trade and Agriculture departments were finalizing a joint order that would standardize the labeling and price tag requirements for milled rice. Rice labeling will be aligned with standards applied to manufactured goods, including the mandatory display of essential details such as grade, variety, weight, and retail price, she noted. Roque and Tiu Laurel met last Thursday to discuss the rice situation and the Trade department said that they explored solutions to make rice more affordable in line with the government's push for food security and economic stability. Both departments have also agreed to set a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of P58/kilo for imported rice, to be implemented starting Jan. 20. The MSRP will be implemented initially in Metro Manila, and will be reviewed every month to take into account factors including global prices of the grain. Agriculture groups, however, said the price remained in favor of traders, who have been accused by Tiu Laurel of profiteering. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas President Danilo Ramos said that P58/kilo was still too high for ordinary consumers and claimed that the government did not have strong mechanisms to ensure compliance by traders and retailers. The Agriculture department, he added, should instead focus on supporting local rice farmers by lowering the cost of farm inputs, the provision of subsidies and raising farmgate prices. Federation of Free Farmers Chairman Leonardo Montemayor, meanwhile, said the government seemed focused on lowering rice prices at the retail end. The lowering of rice import tariffs to 15 percent from 35 percent only encouraged traders to import more rice, he claimed, adding that it would be easier to prosecute them for profiteering instead of forcing retailers to lower the selling price to consumers
RICE PRICES Kadiwa FOOD SECURITY GOVERNMENT POLICY IMPORTS
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