Rey Bancod
Amid increasing prices of basic commodities, the Quezon City local government has partnered with the National Food Authority (NFA) to distribute low-priced sacks of rice in various communities in the city.
During the Rice Caravan activity attended by Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte in Barangay San Agustin on Wednesday, 100 sacks of rice were made available for the residents.
Each beneficiary could buy from five to 10 kilograms of rice which only costs P27 per kilogram. Commercial rice is expected to sell at P40 per kilogram.
“Dahil tumataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin dahil sa inflation rate, naapektuhan ‘yung mga basic commodities. Ang pinakamahalaga para sa mga mamamayan ay ang bigas kaya yung Rice Caravan ay binababa natin sa pakikipagtulungan ng NFA,” Belmonte said during the event.
According to Belmonte, the Rice Caravan has been operating in 10 sites all over the city and will add more sites before the end of the year.
The Caravan is set to target District 4 for succeeding stops this November, said Belmonte.
“Ang unang layunin dito ay mapalapit sa tao ang NFA rice. Kung sa palengke sila bibili, mahaba na ang pila, at the same time, tatlong kilo lang kada tao ang pwede ibigay ng NFA distributor,” the vice mayor pointed out.
Belmonte also highlighted that the rice being offered in the caravan is of “good quality” comparable to commercial rice.
She also revealed plans to set up a ‘Tienda Malasakit Store’ in Quezon City next month in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) which will offer basic commodities and produce at farm gate prices.
Meanwhile, some fresh products such as bangus, and tilapia, will be sold for up to P150 per kilo, while fruits and vegetables will be up to P100 per kilo.
Belmonte explained that products at Tienda stalls are more affordable since they are bought directly from farmers in Central Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. (Alexandria San Juan)
