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The Department of Agriculture began selling rice at just P40 per kiko at the Pasay Public Market. Supplies however quickly ran out. Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA - Several problems marred the first day of the expansion of 'Rice for All' in public markets in Metro Manila. 

The Department of Agriculture postponed selling P40-per-kilo rice at two train stations due to security issues. DA personnel were supposed to sell cheaper rice in MRT-3's North Avenue Station and LRT-1's Monumento Station to take advantage of heavy foot traffic.

However, the DA pushed back the planned sale amid concerns about storage and the possible disruption this may cause in the area.

"Ine-expect nila baka dumugin or baka magkaroon ng challenges. Kailangan nating i-prepare ang venue. Gusto nila mas prepared tayo," said said Asec. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra of DA's Agribusiness and Consumer Affairs.

(They are expecting that the kiosks might attract a lot of people so we need to prepare the venue first.)

Supplies of cheap rice also ran out early in Pasay Public Market due to limited stock. Only 30 sacks of rice were allotted to retailers on the first day, which made them limit purchases to only 5 kilos per buyer to accommodate more people.

"Marami dumagsa kasi mura ang bigas, nagbigay kami minimum ng 5 kilos sa bawat isa para lahat mabigyan," said Ging de Jesus, a retailer.

(A lot of them went there because it was cheap. We only capped purchases by 5 kilos to accommodate more people.)

DA officials earlier said that there would be no limits on purchases. Consumers were happy about the project as it slashed rice prices significantly. Initially, cheaper rice was rolled out in Kamuning Market in Quezon City, Guadalupe Public Market in Mandaluyong, Malabon Central Market, New Las Pinas City Public Market, and Pasay City Public Market, but the agency is eyeing more markets by next month.

The DA said the project is pulling rice prices down, as shown by other retailers in Kamuning Market. They aim to expand to more kiosks in provinces by early 2025.

Source : msn