Rep. Rodante Marcoleta of the Sagip Party list said he has launched a nationwide campaign to “rescue” rice farmers from hoarders and smugglers by offering low-priced rice.
During the launch held in Barangay Cristo Rey, Capas, Tarlac, Marcoleta offered a fixed price of P35 per kilo for well-milled “denorado” rice to local consumers which is P17 lower than the prevailing market price.
Hundreds of locals have lined up, hoping to buy at least 5 kilos which they said is enough for two days. The limit aimed to avoid panic buying and hoarding to spread its supply to more consumers.
The program is in collaboration with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda to achieve food sufficiency and security eventually.
“And to realize that, we need to amalgamate all patriotic businessmen in the country who can invest in the program even without profit in the process because that is the only way to help out our farmers and consumers as well as our national government,” Marcoleta said.
The project for farmers is dubbed “Ikiskiss Mo Beybi! Adopt a Farmer Program.”
Heeding the call for the program was local businessman Tony Marfori and members of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce, who bought palay yields directly from the farmers.
The price of the said palay is P3 higher than the P19 buying price of the National Food Authority (NFA). The product is then dried and properly milled before being sold to consumers at a break-even price.