MANILA, Philippines — A total of 35,000 bags of imported rice intended for the government’s subsidized rice program arrived in Cebu, the Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday.

In a statement, the DA said the shipment is part of the national government’s initiative to sell rice at P20 per kilo through the Kadiwa centers.

The imported rice, amounting to over 1,750 metric tons, arrived at the Cebu International Port (CIP) aboard MV Daiwan Bay and was consigned to the National Food Authority (NFA), which will oversee the distribution of the staple food to Kadiwa outlets across the province.

According to the DA, the rice was sourced from Vietnam and underwent the necessary clearance procedures before its release.

District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz said the port is committed to facilitating the timely release of essential commodities.

“We ensure the smooth processing of these shipments in compliance with customs laws and regulations to help in the swift implementation of programs addressing food security,” Cruz said.

The Kadiwa program aims to make basic goods accessible to low-income Filipinos by linking producers directly to consumers, reducing transportation and marketing layers that add to the cost of food.

The Department of Agriculture earlier said the government targets to sell rice at P20 per kilo in Kadiwa stores nationwide by the third quarter of 2025.