P20/kilo rice now available in Bulacan

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — People belonging to vulnerable sectors in this city were the first to benefit from the rollout of the P20-per-kilo rice in Bulacan.

The low-cost rice was offered by the Kadiwa Center in Barangay Minuyan Proper on Friday. It is expected to be available on a weekly basis or every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Kadiwa outlet, which is managed by the city agriculture office, also sells vegetables, canned goods and other basic commodities at affordable prices.

The P20-per-kilo rice program of the government is limited only to vulnerable groups such as low-income families, senior citizens, solo parents and persons with disabilities, who may purchase five to 10 kilos per week.

The low-cost rice was sourced from the warehouse of the National Food Authority (NFA) in Valenzuela City.

As this developed, Rhona Talens, acting manager of the NFA-Bulacan, said the agency has started milling its palay stocks.

Talens said an initial of 300,000 bags of palay would be milled by four private rice millers.

The millers will be paid in kind or with rice by-products like rice husk.