BIEN-UNIDO, Bohol – The Php20/kilo of milled rice sold and introduced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to fulfill his campaign promised is being subsidized by the local and national governments.
Bohol provincial assistant agriculturist Larry Pamugas bared this in an interview, saying that the actual cost of the milled rice is Php33.00/kilo. But the government sold it at P20/kilo and the balance of P13.00 is being split by the national and local (provincial) government at P6.50/kilo apiece.
The President, who took a taste of cooked rice, said the supply of the rice is soured out here (Bohol).
This after the first of such rice sale is held in this town on Friday during the 38-minute visit of the President and introduced what he called “Benteng Bigas, meron Na” program.
In an exclusive interview, Nena, a senior citizen who did not give her family name, told this writer that she hopes this will go on and on.
Those who may avail of the cheap rice as priority are those beneficiaries of the government’s cash-aided program as 4Ps, Assistance to Individual for Crisis Situation (AICS), and others, the report said.
Gov. Aris Aumentado, who accompanied the President in a chopper, said that the program is aimed at guaranteeing food security and hopefully reduce poverty.
Some 50-kilo 535 sacks were prepared for sale at said price and expected to benefit over 2,700, said the Philippine Information Agency here.
The president, along with Aggie Sec. Laurel, DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara and other honchos, also inaugurated the completed Small Irrigation Reservoir Project (SRIP) in barangay Calunasan, Calape town during his visit. (Ric Obedencio)
