In a move aimed at easing the economic burden on Filipino families, MerryMart Grocery, a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corp., has officially joined the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) KADIWA ng Pangulo (KNP) program to offer Filipinos affordable rice options. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. hailed the partnership, emphasizing the importance of private sector collaboration in ensuring food security and mitigating rising commodity prices.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on Friday marks MerryMart’s commitment to providing rice at P29 per kilo, aligning with the government’s P29 rice initiative. In addition to the affordable rice, MerryMart will also distribute various rice varieties through the Rice-for-All (RFA) program, which offers different grades of rice at prices ranging from P36 to P45 per kilo.
Tiu Laurel praised the initiative, noting, “We need more good corporate citizens like MerryMart, who are ready to extend a helping hand to assist the government in looking after the welfare of Filipinos, especially those who need relief from unwarranted price pressures.”
MerryMart president Jacqueline Anna Marie Gomez said the partnership is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts, aiming to support struggling families in the face of ongoing inflation. Beyond rice, the MOU envisions the distribution of other agri-fishery products and the rollout of joint promotional campaigns to raise awareness about affordable food options.
This collaboration is seen as a vital step toward strengthening food security in the Philippines while supporting small farmers’ livelihoods and increasing the accessibility of essential goods. The agreement, which will run until December 2028, sets the stage for future cooperation to enhance the availability of affordable food nationwide.
The partnership is expected to provide significant economic relief for Filipino consumers facing high food prices, particularly for rice, a staple in every household. By expanding access to affordable rice through MerryMart’s extensive retail network, the initiative is expected to ease inflationary pressures and contribute to the overall stability of food prices in the country.
