Government agencies in the Caraga Region are ramping up efforts to ensure the continued availability of PHP20-per-kilo rice to various sectors, with thousands of residents already benefiting from the subsidized staple.

In a press briefing on Monday, Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen reported that over 7,000 residents across the region availed of the discounted rice on Sept. 13, coinciding with the birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Mangelen said the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) recently opened an outlet in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, and plans to launch four more outlets next month —two in Agusan del Sur, one in Surigao del Norte and another in Libertad, Butuan City.

He said FTI outlets will primarily serve rice farmers in the region.

Antonio Rosario Lagrimas II, acting General Manager of the National Food Authority-Caraga (NFA-13), in the same press briefing, assured the public of a sufficient rice supply once the new outlets become operational.

Vincent Albia, NFA-13 operations officer, said the NFA has been supplying rice to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its private sector partners in the region since July, when the program started targeting private workers.

He added around 1,000 sacks of rice have been distributed through these partnerships.

“We are working to continue selling PHP20 per kilo rice in our Kadiwa outlets in the region, which would be available to the vulnerable sectors. These Kadiwa outlets are open every 15th and 30th of the month,” Mangelen said.

He said the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA-13 has already been instructed to request additional rice allocations from FTI for all Kadiwa outlets, aiming to make the program accessible to all sectors. (PNA)