MANILA – The introduction of Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) kiosks across five major public markets in Metro Manila has been met with enthusiasm from local consumers. These kiosks, which began operations on Thursday, offer well-milled rice at a reduced price of PHP40 per kilogram, fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s initiative to make essential food items more accessible and affordable.
The kiosks are strategically placed in Kamuning Market in Quezon City, Malabon Central Market, New Las Piñas City Public Market, Pasay City Public Market, and Guadalupe Public Market in Makati. This move has been praised by residents like Virginia Arcos, a 57-year-old house helper, who appreciates the significant savings on her family’s grocery bill. ‘I am grateful for the lower rice prices. This is what we’ve been hoping for, especially with the rising cost of everything, particularly when you have children in school,’ she shared.
Oscar Gasang, 62, also expressed his approval of the initiative, noting the timely response of the Department of Agriculture to the public’s demand for affordable goods amidst rising retail prices. ‘This is a big help for us, especially now when everything is getting more expensive. We’ve been waiting for rice prices to go down for a long time,’ he remarked.
DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra highlighted the positive impact of the KNP kiosks on local rice prices, noting a noticeable decrease. ‘We’ve observed that when one vendor lowers their price, others tend to follow suit, as they often operate as a group,’ she explained during an interview at Kamuning Market.
The KNP kiosks operate from Tuesday to Saturday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., offering unlimited purchases with a steady supply from the Food and Terminal Incorporated. Plans are also underway to extend the KNP initiative to MRT North Avenue and LRT Monumento stations starting December 10, with additional preparations to ensure security and order at these public venues.
Looking ahead, the Department of Agriculture is set to expand the KNP kiosks to more locations within the month, including Balintawak (Cloverleaf) market and Maypajo public market in Quezon City, Cartimar market in Pasay, Grace market in Pateros, and Paco market, further enhancing access to affordable rice for Metro Manila residents.