Even before the Department of Agriculture (DA) officially rolled out its much-ballyhooed P20-a-kilo rice program – one of the top campaign pledges of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr – a farmer’s group in Victoria, Laguna had been selling rice at that price.
Five days before the DA launched the “P20 Benteng Bigas Meron na” program in Cebu City last May 1, farmers in Victoria, a predominantly agricultural town, put up its P20-per-kilo premium rice at a Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlet in this town last April 25.
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo program aims to ease the burden of rising commodity prices and help farmers sell their products directly to consumers.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections has suspended the cheap rice program of the DA in the Visayas, to be resumed on May 13, a day after the midterm elections.
Emmanuel Atas, Municipal Agriculturist of Victoria, said that portions of the farmers’ recent harvest were offered at a low price as an alternative form of payment for the foliar fertilizers they used last planting season provided by Eunlad Marketing Cooperative.
The P20-per-kilo premium rice offered by the farmers was as “a gesture of support to residents and gratitude for a bountiful harvest,” the municipal agriculturist added.
As for the sustainability of the farmers’ initiative, Atas is hopeful that it will grow if supported through local government mandates or ordinances to ensure continuity and broader impact.
“Looking ahead, these farmers are willing to sell rice at just 20 pesos per kilo at upcoming Kadiwa markets,” he said.
When asked if the farmers would incur a loss, Atas said, “They won’t incur losses because the farmers are simply giving back their harvest to the people as a form of assistance.”
Promoting local products
In addition to rice and farm produce, local sellers also offered a variety of goods such as slippers, shoes, hats, bags, and clothing.
Beverages, including fresh cow’s milk, were also available, along with other locally made products.
For Analyn, a staff member of a sleepwear shop from Liliw (a town known for its local footwear industry) who participated in Kadiwa, the program has been beneficial for both sellers and consumers.
“The Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a big help for us, especially for workers like me, because it allows us to showcase the durability and quality of our products,” Analyn shared.
Analyn added that she has already joined several Kadiwa activities and stressed that through this initiative, they were able to promote and sell their products effectively.
(With report from the Philippine Information Agency)
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