(Photo from the Philippine News Agency)
According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., this is to ensure that the public knows the hours and days of operation of all Kadiwa stores.
Currently, there are 17 Kadiwa stores operating regularly and 230 operating irregularly.
In addition to FTI-Taguig, other Kadiwa stores are located at the Bureau of Animal Industry Dome and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Quezon City; Bureau of Plant Industry in Malate, Manila; Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority in Las Piñas; Bayani Fernando Central Terminal and Barangay Fortune in Marikina; as well as in Llano, Caloocan; Valenzuela; Pantao Fisherfolks Consumer Cooperative in Malabon; Navotas Institute in Navotas; San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Antipolo City; Bacoor, Cavite; and San Pedro City Hall in Santa Rosa, Laguna, which operate from Thursday to Saturday.
"Once we establish a smooth logistics flow of goods and the flow of transactions, we will expand it," said Laurel.
The DA plans to increase the number of Kadiwa stores nationwide from 800 to 1000. They also plan to franchise Kadiwa stores, allowing the private sector or cooperatives to use the name Kadiwa in selected areas.
Not just cheap rice is available at Kadiwa but also vegetables, fish, eggs, and meat.
There is P29 per kilo rice in stock but still in good condition from the National Food Authority, and P45 per kilo rice under the Rice for All Program, which sells a mix of imported and local well-milled rice to the public in Kadiwa stores.
