House Speaker Martin Romualdez distributing rice in Siquijor (Speaker's Office)

In line with President Marcos’ vision of providing aid to sectors in need under “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines), House Speaker Martin Romualdez spearheaded three social assistance programs that saw the distribution of cash aid and rice to citizens of Siquijor.

On Sunday, Feb. 18, Romualdez helped launch the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program in the province. A total of 3,000 residents ended up receiving the cash and rice "ayuda".

“It (rice) is a staple in every Filipino’s diet. No Filipino meal is complete without rice. That is why we at the House of Representatives have gone to great lengths to ensure that this staple remains within the reach of the common Filipino,” he said in a speech.

Placed under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the CARD program was seen as a response to Marcos’ challenge for lawmakers to provide free rice and financial aid to the people.

The program aims to provide P2,000 worth of aid to every beneficiary all over the country. This is broken down as P1,000 in cash aid and another P1,000 for a 25-kilogram sack of rice. 

According to DSWD, the beneficiaries include senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and Indigenous peoples (IPs).

Romualdez noted that the House “has done everything” to make rice affordable to Filipinos. 

He cited the House hearings that were meant to investigate the issue of hoarding, as well as the surprise visits to warehouses and public markets to “ensure that the price of rice is within reach even by the poor”.

“Batid naman po natin na may mga sektor na sadyang mapagsamantala, at pilit na pagkakitaan ang pangangailangan ng Pilipino sa bigas—bagay na nagdudulot ng artipisyal na pagtaas ng presyo ng importanteng bilihing ito. Maaari naman natin silang habulin at parusahan. Ngunit hindi naman nito masisiguro na may bigas sa hapag kainan," he said.

(We know that there are sectors that are deliberately exploitative, and are trying to make money off the Filipinos’ need for rice—something that causes an artificial increase in the price of this important commodity. We can investigate and punish them. But it will not ensure that there is rice on the dining table.)

Approximately 3,000 small entrepreneurs and 2,000 students in Siquijor also received a total of P10 million under the Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity and Livelihood (SIBOL) program, and the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) for the Youth.

“Hindi naman natin maikakaila na ang ating mga maliliit na namumuhunan at ang ating mga kapos na estudyante ay kailangan ng tulong para umunlad (We cannot deny that our small entrepreneurs and our underprivileged students need assistance to thrive). If we help our entrepreneurs and students to succeed in their respective endeavors, we empower them to provide positive contributions to nation-building,” Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, said.

An initiative of the Speaker in collaboration with the DSWD, the SIBOL program seeks to provide support to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses, as well as individuals seeking better employment opportunities.

With this program, a total of 3,000 small entrepreneurs received P2,000 each.

Likewise, a total of 2,000 students from the province received P2,000 each under the ISIP for the Youth.

The identified student-beneficiaries will also be enrolled under the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHEd) Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) where students can get scholarship assistance of up to P15,000 per year.

“Umasa po kayo na patuloy po ang administrasyong Marcos, kasama ng Kamara de Representante, na maghahanap at magpapatupad ng iba pang mga epektibong programa para matugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan, tungo sa mas mabilis na pag-unlad ng ating bansa,” the House leader said.

(Please look forward to how the Marcos administration, together with the House of Representatives, will continue to find and implement other effective programs to meet your needs, towards the faster development of our country.)

 "Ito po ang Bagong Pilipinas,” he stressed.

(This is the New Philippines.)