LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) — In its continuing effort to make basic commodities more accessible to vulnerable sectors, the Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the local government of Lingayen, conducted the second rollout of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program on May 22 at the Lingayen Civic Center.
For the beneficiaries, the program has provided much-needed relief amid rising food prices.
Jovelyn Fernandez, a member of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from Barangay Namolan, availed of the affordable rice offered through the program, helping her family meet their daily needs.
“I am thankful to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. because we were able to buy rice for only P20, which is a big saving for us. We already tried this during the initial roll-out here, and I can say the quality is good, so I lined up again for it,” Fernandez said, hopeful that the program will continue steadily.
Fernandez added that the rice they used to buy before cost P35 per kilo; therefore, the program provided them with significant savings.
Nerma Zamora, a senior citizen from Panfilo East Street, said that the program allowed her to buy quality rice at an affordable price and helped her save money for her medical needs.
“Thank you very much, President Marcos, for what you’ve done. I’m in tears because life is so hard right now. This is something that will help many people. Just think, at only P20 per kilo, this can help us get by for several days. So if something like this happens again, I’ll definitely line up for it again,” Zamora expressed with teary eyes.
Meanwhile, Christmas Rodolf Dela Cruz, a person with disability from Barangay Libsong West, expressed his appreciation for the rice program, stating that it has brought real relief to families like his.
“There were many speculations before that the promise of P20 per kilo of rice wouldn’t come true. Job well done to President Marcos because he made it happen. What I bought today will help us for a week, and I hope this continues,” Dela Cruz said.
Municipal Agriculturist Rodolfo Dela Cruz reported that they have a total of 100 sacks of rice from the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) and the National Food Authority (NFA) allocated for senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and 4Ps members in Lingayen for this rollout.
“One sack contains 50 kilos of rice. It was then repacked into 10 packs, with each pack weighing five kilos,” he said.
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo P20-per-kilo rice program continues to bring tangible support to the vulnerable sectors.
More families like Fernandez, Zamora, and Dela Cruz are expected to benefit from this initiative, ensuring that affordable, quality rice remains within reach for those who need it most. (AMB/JCDR, PIA Pangasinan)
