Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has spearheaded the distribution of 500,000 kilos of rice to 28,000 residents in Sultan Kudarat to bring public services closer to the people.
Assisted by provincial officials including Governor Pax Mangudadatu and some members of the House of Representatives, Romualdez distributed rice and cash assistance to the province’s impoverished residents as part of the Marcos administration’s Cash and Rice Distribution Program (CARD).
The launching of the CARD program coincided with the inauguration of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Sultan Kudarat on Feb. 25.
CARD is a collaborative initiative between the Romualdez-led legislative chamber and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It was developed in response to the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the House to extend rice assistance to poor Filipinos.
“Through this and other programs implemented by the government, our beloved President Bongbong Marcos Jr. his concern for his fellow Filipinos here in Mindanao – that even if you are far away, you are still close to his heart and mind,” Romualdez said. “Under the Bagong Pilipinas movement, no one will be left behind, everyone is included in development.”
In response, Mangudadatu expressed gratitude to Romualdez, whom he gave the moniker “Mr. Rice,” for the service caravan and rice distribution initiatives in their province.
The governor also affirmed Sultan Kudarat’s support for President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas vision, aiming for a peaceful and progressive Philippines.
“Ito na po ang pinakamalaking distribution ng bigas sa kasaysayan ng aming probinsya, kaya kung mamarapatin po ninyo maliban sa Mr.
Speaker, nais ko kayong tawaging Mr. Rice,” Mangudadatu said.
(This is the largest distribution of rice in the history of our province, so if you deserve it except for Mr. Speaker, I would like to call you Mr. Rice)
Each of the 18,000 beneficiaries of CARD, identified by the DSWD, received P1,000 in cash along with 25 kilos of rice valued at P1,000.
Romualdez thanked the DSWD for its their cooperation in the program, which benefits thousands of Filipinos, particularly those from vulnerable sectors.
“Ang bigas ay buhay, at alam ito ng pamahalaan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.
Kaya naman tayo po ay nakaisip ng isang programang magbibigay ng bigas sa ating mga kababayan alinsunod sa kanyang naging hamon. At para sigurado na walang maiiwan, gagawin natin ito per district ng Kongreso,” said Romualdez, one of the primary proponents of CARD program.
(Rice is life, and the government of President Marcos Jr. knows it.
That’s why we came up with a program that will give rice to our countrymen in accordance with his challenge. And to make sure no one is left out, we will do it per congressional district)
As part of the BPSF, around 10,000 qualified individuals were also given 10 kilos of rice or a total of 100,000 kilo, along with P700 worth of food pack.
“This is the value we place on rice distribution to the sectors who need them. This includes our senior citizens, PWDs, single parents and indigenous peoples (IPs), so they can feel that their government is here to help them at all times,” Romualdez said.
“Our people can hope that we will continue to find a program and a way to implement the aspirations of President Marcos Jr. to launch effective projects to meet the needs of the people,” he added.
Launched last year, the CARD program seeks to extend government assistance to congressional districts, starting initially in Metro Manila, which comprises 33 legislative districts, as well as in Biñan City and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
Romualdez stated that the initiative was prompted by the rising rice prices in the market.
Beyond assisting those impacted by the high cost of rice, the program also seeks to curb hoarding and price manipulation in the rice market.