By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted his administration’s efforts to lower rice prices to PHP29 per kilo, though it remains far from his PHP20 per kilo campaign promise.
“Kasabay na ng payout ay nandito na rin ang Kadiwa para makabili po kayo ng bilihin na mura. Mayroon tayong bigas. Magkano iyong bigas dito? 20? 25? 29 per kilo. Iyong ang pinakamababa na,” Marcos said during his Feb. 13 visit to Iloilo City.
Marcos was in the city to lead the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas Para sa 4Ps” job fair at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz District, an initiative helping Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries transition to self-sufficiency.
He emphasized that affordable food remains a top priority and assured Ilonggos that government measures are in place to stabilize agricultural production and lower the cost of basic goods.
Kadiwa Rice Pricing and Availability
The PHP29 per kilo rice is only available at Kadiwa stores and temporary Kadiwa “pop-up” stores, which operate on a scheduled basis.
The Kadiwa stores also sell rice for P38 and P45 per kilo under the Rice-for-All Program, and P36 per kilo for “sulit rice.”
Some Kadiwa centers also impose a five-kilo purchase limit per household, depending on supply.
From Feb. 10 to 14, 2025, both local and imported regular-milled rice were sold at PHP44 per kilo in Iloilo, while prices in other Western Visayas provinces reached PHP52 per kilo.
Despite efforts to lower prices, rice costs soared to a 15-year high in September 2024.
Marcos even implemented tariff reductions on imported rice, but local prices have remained high.
On Feb. 3, 2025, the Department of Agriculture declared a food security emergency due to the extraordinary increase in rice prices.
This declaration allows the National Food Authority (NFA) to release buffer stocks to stabilize prices and ensure supply.
Rice inflation surged to 17.9% in September 2023, far exceeding the government’s target for food inflation.
While Marcos continues to push for lower rice prices, the reality remains that the PHP20 per kilo goal is still far from reach.
