"This is just an initial stock, as we have yet to receive the orders from the different local government units in the province," Provincial Agriculture Office chief Dr. Roldan Saragena told the Philippine News Agency in a mix of Visayan and English Thursday.

The program was launched on May 1 but was temporarily put on hold to heed the Commission on Elections’ suggestion to prevent the program from being politicized.

Upon the program's resumption, beneficiaries may purchase the P20/kilo rice at the nearest Kadiwa Centers, stores that allow farmers to directly sell their products to consumers at low cost.

In towns without Kadiwa Centers, residents can buy rice at the Sugbo Merkadong Barato stores.

Under the program, indigent beneficiaries may buy up to 10 kilos of rice per week or a total of 40 kilos per month.

Saragena said data on the number of sacks sold during the program's Labor Day launch is currently unavailable since the event was spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in coordination with the Cebu provincial government, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and several other agencies.

"Our role at that time was limited to transporting the sacks of rice from the National Food Authority warehouse to the Capitol," he said.

Saragena said sale of rice at the Capitol on May 1 was extended until almost midnight, as the number of registered beneficiaries tripled. 

PNA PHOTO