Rice at P29 per kilo now in Nueva Ecija

A P29 per kilo rice is now available in Nueva Ecija following the launch of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice program, the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez said Friday.

Romualdez was referring to Friday’s launch of the (BBM) rice program which is a partnership between the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and irrigation association members.

“Today’s launch of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka rice highlights the unwavering commitment of this administration to do right, as well as the power of united action to achieve what others thought was impossible,” Romualdez said during the program’s launch held at the NIA Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) Gymnasium in Cabanatuan City.

The program aimed at selling affordable rice is a partnership between the National Irrigation Administration and the irrigation association members.

The Speaker also praised the Department of Agriculture for heeding Congress’ call to extend the reach of Kadiwa centers, which sell rice at an affordable price of only P29 per kilo, to allow more consumers to access cheap rice.

“Gaya ng sinabi ng ating mahal na Pangulo sa kanyang nakaraang SONA, ang lahat ng tagumpay sa ekonomiya ay walang kabuluhan kung hindi ito nadarama ng ating mga kababayan. Ang bigas na abot-kaya ang presyo ay mithiin ng ating mahal na Pangulo para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Romualdez, cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., said.

(As the President had said in his State of the Nation Address, our economic gains would not matter if they were not felt by our people. An affordable rice is what the President wants for the people.)

Romualdez then expressed optimism that the combination of the upcoming harvest season and the expected arrival of rice imports would further reduce the price of rice in the coming months.

“Indeed, much can be achieved when we work together,” he said.

Romualdez was joined by Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. and House appropriations committee chair and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co.

Reducing the price of rice to as low as P20 per kilo has been a campaign promise of Marcos.

Since then, the President has said that the P20 per kilo rice price is an aspiration. —LDF, GMA Integrated News