The Provincial Government of Cebu will start selling rice at P20 per kilo fulfilling the campaign promise of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a meeting with all mayors of Cebu Province on Wednesday, October 25, Governor Gwen Garcia announced the Capitol’s program dubbed Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB) which will sell NFA rice and affordable and fresh harvests to indigent households in the province.
Under the program, the Capitol will allocate P100 million to purchase NFA rice which will be divided equally among the 51 local government units (LGUs) in the province.
The LGUs will be the ones to sell these to their indigent constituents that are identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Aside from the rice, the SMB will also sell fresh farm and sea produce at affordable prices directly from farmers and fisherfolks.
Another P100 million will be earmarked for the purchase of commercial rice to be sold at cheaper rates, provided that buyers will also purchase other goods and products from the SMB, such as farm products and sea harvests.
The Capitol is expected to absorb at least a ten percent loss since it would be selling rice at a loss. The SMB will be launched in November, this year. | Babie Jane Revecoy