The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has teamed up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide PHP20 per kilo rice to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families, fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise to make affordable rice accessible to Filipinos while supporting local farmers.
“Our President Marcos Jr. truly values our OFWs, our modern-day heroes in our Bagong Pilipinas,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. “The government efforts to ensure affordable rice to Filipino households also flow to OFWs and their families, which is being felt in communities.”
The low-cost rice will be available soon at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlet located in the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City. The Kadiwa program, spearheaded by the DA, links consumers directly to farmers, fishers, and small businesses—cutting out middlemen to lower food prices and promote inclusive food distribution under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda.
Cacdac urged buyers to follow proper distribution protocols to ensure the program reaches as many families as possible.
In addition, the DMW and DA are working together to help OFWs and their families explore agribusiness opportunities through the national reintegration program. This includes offering technical support and guidance to returning OFWs interested in becoming “agri-preneurs.”
“The agricultural sector is a worthwhile business and investment opportunity for our dear OFWs. The DMW is partnering with the DA to support them as we promote agribusiness as a sustainable and viable program for the reintegration of OFWs,” Cacdac added.