P20 PER KILO OF RICE NOW BEING SOLD IN CEBU

RICE is now being sold at P20 per kilo in Cebu as the provincial government launched the Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB) pop up stores on Tuesday.

However, the only ones qualified to purchase the cheap NFA rice will be indigent families in Cebu who were pre-listed by the town and the city social welfare office.

Poor families are allowed to purchase up to five kilos of the rice per week.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez commended the inauguration of Cebu’s Sugbo Merkadong Barato program, underscoring its historical significance in offering quality rice at an unprecedented price of P20 per kilo.

During his speech at the program’s launch at Talisay City Hall, Speaker Romualdez highlighted that this groundbreaking initiative, made possible under the visionary leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., “signifies a pivotal step towards achieving food security and economic resilience for the nation.”

“Tunay po na makasaysayan ang araw na ito para sa bansang Pilipinas. Ngayong araw, napatunayan ng mga Sugbuanon na hindi imposibleng makamit ang pangarap na magkaroon sa merkado ng de-kalidad na bigas sa halagang 20 pesos bawat kilo,” said Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives who is leading the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program in the country in partnership with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian.

The CARD program distributes financial and rice assistance to vulnerable Filipino families through the legislative districts in the country in response to President Marcos’ call for the House of Representatives to help provide cheaper rice for needy Filipinos.

The Speaker extended his heartfelt appreciation to the leaders of Cebu province, particularly Gov. Gwen Garcia, for their exemplary leadership in implementing innovative solutions.

The model adopted by Cebu in providing rice at P20 per kilo is revolutionary and deserves replication across the country, Romualdez said.

“The Cebu provincial government’s initiatives, including the Bugasan sa Kababayen-an sa Barangay, the localization of Kadiwa ng Pangulo, and the groundbreaking Sugbo Merkadong Barato, are all commendable steps towards making food more accessible and affordable,” Speaker Romualdez emphasized.

“These programs are not just about providing rice at lower prices; they are about empowering our communities, particularly our women, farmers, fisherfolk, and micro-entrepreneurs.”

The Speaker lauded the provincial government for its willingness to absorb losses to ensure affordability, saying it “speaks volumes about its commitment to the welfare of the Sugbuanons.”

He also extended his deepest gratitude to everyone involved in these initiatives, assuring that under the guidance of President Marcos, the nation is “on the right path towards a future where every Filipino has access to affordable, nutritious food.”