DTI Launches “Rice on Wheels Program” to Ensure Affordable Rice Supply for Retailers
On Monday, September 11, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced the implementation of a new initiative called the “Rice on Wheels Program for Retailers.” This program aims to provide retailers in public markets with an affordable supply of rice, in coordination with Bulacan rice millers and traders.
The primary objective of the program is to ensure the availability of regular and well-milled rice at affordable prices for the general public. DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual emphasized the importance of collaboration between government agencies and private stakeholders in order to stabilize the supply and price of rice in the market.
To kickstart the program, the DTI has already brought in 12,500 kilos of rice from Bulacan Rice Millers and Traders. The rice was made available for sale in Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City on September 8. Additionally, a dry-run of the program was conducted simultaneously in public markets located in Makati, Parañaque, and Manila City.
The Rice on Wheels for Retailers initiative showcases the support of Bulacan rice millers and traders towards the government’s temporary price stabilization efforts under Executive Order No. 39.
In further efforts to address concerns regarding the implementation of the rice price ceiling, the DTI, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), began distributing financial aid to small retailers on September 9.
The DTI reiterated its commitment to ensuring that affordable rice supplies are accessible to all by working closely with other government departments and private stakeholders. Employing a whole-of-government approach, the DTI aims to create a stronger and more accessible market for everyone.
