It is a rice distribution initiative in partnership with the city government of the country’s capital.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on Thursday, April 16, led the launch of the Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila program at SM City Manila.
During which, he said, “Sabi ko, sana pagbaba ko bilang Pangulo ay masasabi kong wala nang gutom na Pilipino. Kaya po aming ginagawa, patuloy na ginagawa ito,” noting that the initiative is part of the administration’s vision of freeing Filipinos from hunger during his term.
He added, “Kaya ito po ang simula. Kagaya ng sabi ko, nauna ang Maynila. Ngunit patuloy po ito at saka buong bansa ay mabibigyan natin.”
This program is being carried out in cooperation with local government units (LGUs) to expedite the grant of assistance by eliminating the circuitous process at the national level, with rice subsidies provided to workers in the City of Manila at launch.
Under the program, 80,000 beneficiaries in the City of Manila will receive 10 kilos of rice six times in one year.
Notably, the program implementation coincides with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which President Marcos said has drastically affected fuel and food prices, impacting the most vulnerable sectors.
Thus the program aims to provide immediate food relief to families in the city amid ongoing economic pressures, as well as simultaneously help farmers.
Admitting that while the government is not able to control oil prices, which have seen reductions in the past week, he noted it can implement measures to mitigate the increase in food prices.
“Alam naman natin ‘pag tumaas ang presyo ng langis, sabay-sabay, lalong-lalo na ang pagkain,” said the Chief Executive. “Kaya ‘yun ang binabantayan namin nang mabuti na kahit papaano na ‘yung hindi gaanong kabigat ang magiging epekto sa taong-bayan. ‘Yun ang aming binabantayan.”
The Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila is funded by the PHP286 million released by the Office of the President to the City Government of Manila through the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU) program.
The President reported that to date, the national government has released almost PHP15 billion for the program.