The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded its P20-per-kilo rice program to more KADIWA ng Pangulo centers, delivering on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pledge to make affordable food more accessible to Filipinos.
Following its rollout in 12 KADIWA sites on Tuesday, the program reached 20 additional centers on Thursday, including locations in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Mindoro, and Rizal.
“The Marcos administration is determined to expand this P20 program nationwide, ensuring the most vulnerable – senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and 4Ps beneficiaries – can count on affordable, high-quality rice,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Each beneficiary may purchase up to 30 kilos of rice per month.
“This is about putting food on the table for families who need it most. We’re committed to reaching more households and sustaining this effort through 2028,” Tiu Laurel said.
Rice sold at KADIWA centers is sourced from the National Food Authority (NFA), which buys palay from local farmers at prices higher than those offered by private traders, supporting both consumers and producers.
KADIWA centers are open from 6 am to 2 pm, Thursdays to Saturdays, offering not just rice but also fresh vegetables and other agricultural goods.
Launched as a pilot in the Visayas on May 1, the subsidized rice initiative is expected to benefit up to 2 million households, or roughly 10 million Filipinos, by the end of the year.
