EDITORIAL
Many laughed either in disbelief or in derision when then presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos mentioned the possibility of Filipinos buying rice at P20 per kilo, or half of the prevailing price when the issue was mentioned during the 2022 presidential campaign.
The objective was perceived by many as next to impossible, with an improbability score of nearly zero.
But that will soon change. And here’s why.
Several participating stalls in the recently held “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” (KNP) program in the Bicol Region sold rice at P20 per kg.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), citing information from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the P20 per kg. rice was sold on April 25 during the launch of the KNP at NIA’s Albay-Catanduanes Irrigation Management Office (ACIMO) in Ligao City, Albay.
Among those prioritized to receive P20 per kg. rice are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, elderly, and persons with special needs.
Regular customers, on the other hand, were able to buy rice at PHP35 per kg.
“It serves as a way for Irrigators Associations (IAs) to return the blessings they received from the government to less privileged people for their community,” the NIA said.
Previous to this, residents of San Narciso, Iba, and Botolan in Zambales also had the opportunity to buy rice at P20 per kilo, thanks to the efforts of Zambales 2nd district Congresswoman Doris “Nanay Bing” Maniquiz.
The availability of rice at subsidized prices in Zambales was made possible through the efforts of Representative Maniquiz, Tingog party-list, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. This same group of officials was behind the continuous delivery of various government financial assistance to the people of Zambales.
Meanwhile at the Bicol event, the National Irrigation Administration said aside from rice, various fruits and vegetables, several delicacies, and other farm products were also sold at affordable prices.
The project was made possible through the efforts of NIA Regional Manager Engr. Gaudencio M. De Vera, Albay-Catanduanes IMO Manager Engr. Jessie D. Baynas, and ACIMO IA Federation president Melanio Bañares.
The NIA emphasized that it remains committed to increasing rice production towards the realization of the “Bagong Pilipinas” envisioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
We hope that other government agencies and even the private sector which is benefiting from government contracts will follow the NIA example.
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