DA to Sell P40/kilo Rice at MRT-North Ave. and LRT-Monumento Stations Starting December 10

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to bring its Rice-for-All program to the North Avenue Station of MRT-3 and the Monumento Station of LRT-1 next week, offering rice at an affordable price of P40 per kilo.

DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra announced the initiative at the Saturday News Forum, emphasizing the choice of these stations due to their high commuter traffic and accessibility.

“We saw that there are a lot of commuters in these stations… We have considered the foot traffic and accessibility in choosing the stations,” Guevarra said.

The rice stalls, operating under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, will begin selling on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Expanded Coverage Planned

Following the initial rollout, additional stations, including MRT-3’s Guadalupe Station and LRT-1’s Taft Avenue and PITX Stations, are being considered for the program.

This initiative complements earlier efforts to make affordable rice available in major public markets across Metro Manila. Markets such as Kamuning Market, Balintawak Market, and Cartimar Market were among the locations previously identified for P40 per kilo rice.

Rice Availability Schedule

The Rice-for-All stalls will operate from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., ensuring a steady supply of affordable rice for the public.

Maximizing Foot Traffic

The DA’s strategic decision to focus on high-traffic train stations aims to reach more consumers, particularly commuters who rely on accessible and affordable food options.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to easing the financial burden on Filipino households amid rising costs of basic commodities.