PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has assured the public that there will be sufficient supply of rice to sustain the P20 per kilo rice program.
In a video message, Marcos allayed doubts about the sustainability of his Benteng Bigas Meron Na program that offers quality rice at P20 per kilo to the country’s vulnerable sectors.
“Masu-sustain po natin ‘yan basta nagtutulungan ang lahat. Ang sisiguruhin natin ay hindi mawawalan ng abot-kayang bigas ang ating mga kababayan,” Marcos said.
(We can sustain that as long as everyone works together. What we will ensure is that our fellow Filipinos will not run out of affordable rice.)
The P20 per kilo rice program was piloted in the Visayas in May before it was rolled out in various Kadiwa ng Pangulo Centers in Luzon weeks after.
The program fulfills Marcos’ campaign promise to make the Filipinos’ staple food more affordable, ease the financial burden on the poor, and ensure support for farmers to sustain rice production.
It initially covers the most vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The Department of Agriculture is set to expand the program to minimum wage earners by July.
Marcos directed the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to ensure that all major canals and irrigation infrastructure across the country are properly maintained to help farmers improve their harvest.
He emphasized the vital role of irrigation in boosting the nation’s food security and empowering farmers, as his administration has initiated sustained efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and rural development.
The NIA earlier launched its re-fleeting program to modernize its logistics and field operations by providing heavy equipment, including backhoes, dump trucks, service vehicles, and canal dredgers, to regional offices in line with the directive of the President.
Marcos also committed to supporting the adoption of smart and innovative farming technologies to help ensure the country’s food security.
He emphasized the importance of smart farming not only for increasing yield but also for improving dietary diversity and public health.
“Ang pinag-uusapan natin dito ay hindi lamang ang food security o ‘yung food supply, kung hindi pati na ang nutritional value na binibigay natin sa taong-bayan,” said Marcos.
(What we are talking about here is not just food security or the food supply, but also the nutritional value we provide to the people.)
“Kaya ang mga facility na ganito ay ayan ang magpo-provide sa atin ng mga fresh na mga gulay, fresh fruits, et cetera,” he added.
(That’s why facilities like these will provide us with fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and so on.) (TPM/SunStar Philippines)