P20-per-kilo rice for Lapu-Lapu residents

CEBU, Philippines — More than 30,000 residents have availed themselves of Lapu-Lapu City’s P20-per-kilo rice program, with 7,414 sacks sold or distributed since its rollout.

Data from the city government showed that 30,344 beneficiaries were served over 84 days as of July 8 through the program, which was implemented in partnership with Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Of the total, 4,414 sacks were sold through FTI’s direct consumer sales, serving 15,313 residents over 55 selling days.

The city government distributed another 3,000 sacks to 15,031 beneficiaries in 29 barangays over 29 days.

The program was initially launched on March 26 through a Kadiwa Pop-up Store at the City Hall grounds, with senior citizens and solo parents prioritized.

It was relaunched on May 11 through a partnership with FTI and the DA, with persons with disabilities, 4Ps beneficiaries, fisherfolk, and indigent residents included among the qualified beneficiaries.

Each qualified beneficiary can purchase up to 10 kilos of rice at P20 per kilo.

The city government also set aside an additional P3 million from its General Fund for rice procurement to supplement the supply from FTI.

The allocation was used to support barangay-level distribution, including in mainland and island communities.

The program comes as the government continues to subsidize rice prices for identified sectors amid elevated food costs.

Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan earlier described the program as an effort to make affordable rice available to residents.

“Kini nga programa usa ka tinuod ug sinsero nga paningkamot sa atong administrasyon aron masiguro nga ang mga yanong Oponganon adunay mapalit nga dekalidad ug baratong bugas,” King-Chan said.

The city government said the program remains available to qualified beneficiaries through scheduled distributions in the barangays. — (FREEMAN)