The government will continue to uplift the living conditions of Filipinos by providing state subsidies, ensuring access to food, and creating job opportunities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared on Thursday.
“Sana po ay makatulong po itong aming ginagawa. Napakahalaga po para sa ating pamahalaan na iyong mga nangangailangan ng tulong ay mabibigyan ng tulong kaya po namin ginagawa ito,” Marcos said during a visit in Iloilo.
“Isipin po ninyo na ang pamahalaan po ninyo ay laging nandito at nakikinig sa inyong mga hinaing, sa inyong mga pangangailangan, at gagawin po namin ang lahat upang tumulong,” he said.
Marcos said the government has been organizing job fairs, making affordable food available, and extending state support to the poor.
The President was in Iloilo to observe the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) payout and the ongoing jobs fair.
Regarding job offerings, the President announced that about 2,000 jobs are currently available from employers. He said the government assists workers through job matching and providing the necessary skills for employment.
The President announced to the people of Iloilo that they can now purchase rice for P29 per kilo from Kadiwa outlets. Kadiwa has sold 1,106 metric tons of rice to over 220,000 households.
Government initiatives to reduce rice prices include lowering the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) from P55 per kilo to P49 per kilo this March. Additionally, the government is implementing the Rice for All program.
The government reduced the rice import tariff from 30% to 15% to increase supply, stabilize prices, and declare a food security emergency.
With the food security emergency declaration, Iloilo City can purchase rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) for P35 per kilo. (PND)
