Supply shortfall in P40/kg rice launch
Metro Manila, Philippines — Supply was not enough in kiosks selling affordable rice under a government program launched in some public markets in Metro Manila on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The “rice for all” sells the staple for P40 per kilogram to tame retail prices, but demand in the five participating public markets was “unusually high,” agriculture officials said.
They told a news conference on Wednesday that stocks would be replenished throughout the launch day, but this did not happen.
Consumers lined up at “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” kiosks before 8 a.m.
Matilde Cristobal, a retailer selling cheap rice, did not have a kiosk but and had to display the stock with other varieties.
Rice retailer Matilde Cristobal shows the empty shelf for the P40/kg rice. She said the well-milled rice was of good quality.
Cristobal told NewsWatch Plus she was only given ten 25-kg sacks for the day. She had to limit sales in the morning to save some for the afternoon customers.
“Limited ang bigay sa amin limited din naman ibebenta,” said Cristobal at the Guadalupe Public Market in Mandaluyong City.
[Translation: We were given limited supply, so we can only sell in limited portions.]
In a news release, the Agriculture Department said supply ran out fast at the Pasay City Public Market and New Las Piñas Market.
“What we can improve on is sa susunod po talagang medyo damihan nang konti,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said. “Ayaw kasi namin magdala talaga nang marami dahil walang storage.”
[Translation: We can improve by adding stocks. We don’t want to bring as many because there is no storage.]
Besides limited supply, consumers also faced defective packaging.
The cheaper rice program began in August at P45/kg and was limited Kadiwa stores.
The DA said it will expand the program to five privately owned wet markets in Metro Manila next week, as well as stalls near train stations.
