Over 2K kilos of affordable rice reach 525 beneficiaries in Butuan City
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — To help ease the impact of rising food prices, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga brought affordable rice once again to the region’s most vulnerable residents through its recent Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) held at the DA Motorpool , Capitol Site, here.
A total of 2,625 kilos of rice at P29 per kilo were sold to around 525 beneficiaries, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents. Each recipient was allowed to buy up to five kilos of high-quality rice at a significantly reduced price and below the prevailing market rates.
“Keeping rice prices within reach of the vulnerable is a priority for the DA,” said Regional Executive Director Arlan M. Mangelen “Through Kadiwa ng Pangulo, we’re not only making food more accessible but also providing dignity and relief to those who are struggling daily to make ends meet.”
For many of the beneficiaries, the KNP initiative is more than just a one-time assistance, it’s a consistent source of relief amid rising food prices.
Evangeline Domosdog, a senior citizen from Butuan City, shared her thoughts after purchasing her allotted rice: “I am truly thankful to our President Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture for initiating this program. With rice prices so high in the market, this is a big help for us who are struggling. Programs like this make us feel seen and supported.”
The rice sold during the KNP was sourced directly from local farmers through the National Food Authority (NFA). This procurement approach not only stabilized food prices for consumers but also elevated the local producers by guaranteeing a market for their harvest at fair prices.
By cutting out unnecessary middlemen, the program increased farmers’ income, while ensuring that consumers pay less. It’s a win-win solution that empowered the agricultural communities and reinforced food self-sufficiency.
Aside from rice, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo also featured a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, root crops, and other agri-products sold at reduced prices. These were supplied by local agri-entrepreneurs and farmers’ cooperatives, offering attendees a diverse, healthy, and affordable food basket.
Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a flagship initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., focused on creating direct links between farmers and consumers. The initiative aims to stabilize prices of basic commodities, enhance market access for farmers and fisherfolk, empower local government units and cooperatives, and promote food security and community resilience.
As DA Caraga continues to roll out more Kadiwa ng Pangulo across the region, it remains steadfast in its goal to leave no one behind in the journey toward food security and agricultural prosperity. (NCLM, PIA Caraga with a report from DA Caraga)
