Metro Manila lawmakers are now mulling a program that would provide rice assistance to cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), President Marcos bared.
Marcos said he ordered House Speaker Martin Romualdez to create a program that will benefit vulnerable communities in Metro Manila and those affected by the high prices of rice.
This, he said, is also among the steps the government is taking after the lifting of the temporary price ceiling on rice starting Wednesday, Oct. 4.
"I’m happy to announce na (that) I gave instructions to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez. Sabi ko sa kanya (I told him), we have to do something for NCR," Marcos said in a media interview after leading the distribution of rice donation in Taguig City on Oct. 4.
"So, that is another measure that we are undertaking para naman hindi basta’t pinabayaan na, basta’t maayos na yung price cap, alisin na lang natin, tapos na. Hindi pa tapos ‘to (so we don't neglect it. Just because we have removed the price cap, does not mean it is over. No, it is not yet over)," he added.
The President explained that the program will be intended for Metro Manila cities as higher prices of rice are observed in NCR, which is only natural, he said, as rice supply takes time to reach the capital region.
"We are also concentrating on the NCR because that is where the prices are most volatile and are highest," Marcos said.
He further said they will implement the program in 33 NCR districts for its pilot implementation.
"We’ll pilot that project for the 33 NCR districts, NCR congressmen na makapagbigay uli tayo ng bigas (to give out rice anew)," he said.
The Chief Executive also said that other measures they are taking is to help the farmers by providing them equipment and help improve their production processes.
He is confident that rice supply in the country will continue to increase as harvest season is on.