THE provincial government of Guimaras will be launching a localized version of the PHP20-per-kilo rice program to by makng consumers’ basic needs more affordable.
According to Guimaras Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Nava, preparations for the program are nor underway and it will launched during the Manggahan Festival this month.
“There will be 5,000 subsidized bags at 50 kilograms each for distribution to residents and it will be sourced from the nearest National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse at PHP33 per kilo. And a PHP13-per-kilo subsidy, shared equally by the national government and participating local government units, will bring the retail price down to PHP20,” he explained.
The P20 kilo rice will be sold in distribution points set up per municipality, and it will be sold in 10-kilogram allocations per family once a week.
According to Governor JC Rahman Nava, the province has already allocated funds for its share of the subsidy through the Office of the Governor’s social fund.
“This program is for everyone and it we have sufficient supply, we may consider expanding the program to provide for more families,” Governor Nava stated.
NFA Region 6 on the other hand expressed support for the program and assured that the agency has 116,000 bags of rice in stock and 1.5 million bags of palay ready for milling.
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