𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝐊 𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐅𝐀 𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐕𝐔𝐋𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒
The Cebu Provincial Government will shoulder transport and logistics costs to secure a larger supply of National Food Authority (NFA) rice, in a move aimed at strengthening food security and expanding access to affordable staple goods for vulnerable sectors.
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the province is targeting at least 20,000 sacks of rice for distribution across component cities and municipalities, to be sold at ₱20 per kilo to marginalized groups, including indigents, senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and minimum wage workers.
“We have to make sure that we are food-secure here in Cebu, especially rice,” the governor said, adding that the provincial government is willing to cover hauling and transportation costs from identified source regions.
During a visit by NFA-7 Acting Regional Manager Liza Balagot, who recently assumed her post, she informed the governor that the NFA central office initially allocated only 2,000 sacks for Cebu.
Gov. Baricuatro, however, said the province had requested 20,000 sacks to meet demand. Balagot noted that Cebu may source additional supply from Regions 4 and 6.
The governor directed the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) to immediately dispatch the rice upon arrival to prevent delays and avoid spoilage in warehouses.
Also present during the visit were Griselda “Gigi” Sanchez, provincial agriculture and livelihood consultant; and Roldan Saragena, head of the PAO.
GUIDELINES FOR BENEFICIARIES
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the program involves a partnership with Food Terminal Inc., with NFA-7 committed to maintaining adequate buffer stock for food security and disaster response while supporting the initiative.
Qualified beneficiaries may purchase up to 30 kilos of rice per month, with a maximum of 10 kilos per transaction. Rice farmers may buy up to 50 kilos monthly, while fisherfolk are limited to 10 kilos.
Beneficiaries must present valid sector-specific IDs, such as senior citizen IDs issued by the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs; PWD IDs from the Persons with Disability Affairs Office or the Department of Social Welfare and Development; and 4Ps beneficiary certification. Transport workers must show identification issued or endorsed by the LTFRB-7 or their respective LGUs.
Empaces said the program, expected to roll out on April 15, will continue depending on rice supply and is part of the subsidized rice initiative of the national government. | CAPITOL PIO
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