President Estrada's rolling stores were fielded yesterday in depressed barangays in Tondo and other areas in Metro Manila to sell basic food commodities to residents at reduced prices.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim urged residents of barangays Manuguit, Antipolo, Magsaysay and Parola in Tondo where the rolling stores were deployed, to avail themselves of this privilege.
Business was brisk and residents were happy to buy foodstuffs at much reduced prices.
Residents bought from the Erap rolling stores rice at P12 per kilo, sugar at P21 per kilo, as well as meat, chicken, cooking oil and other food items at prices lower than those offered in the market and grocery stores.
The deployment of Erap rolling stores in blighted areas is part of the President's strategy to make basic commodities affordable to the masses.
It is gaining much public approval as the 6,000 rolling stores are making an impact on budget-conscious consumers throughout the country.
The program has benefitted an estimated 5.7 million consumers, mostly coming from households.
The rolling stores program is a key element under President Estrada's food security program.