Palace program provides rice subsidies to Manila workers

Ordinary workers in Manila expressed their appreciation for the “Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila” program, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in coordination with the Manila city government.

The workers noted that the program significantly helps ease the burden of rising prices caused by the ongoing impact of the Middle East conflict.

Among those who welcomed the program is Anthony Acain, a 19-year-old promodizer at SM City Manila.

He shared that the rising costs of basic goods have made daily life increasingly difficult, making this support especially impactful for workers in the sales department.

“Ramdam namin ang hirap kasi halos lahat tumaas, kagaya ng pagkain,” said Acain, who lives in Monumento, Caloocan City.

“Salamat po kasi kahit papaano nakakatulong sa pang araw-araw na paghahanapbuhay namin, saka sa pagkain.”

He also expressed hope that the government would find ways to stabilize the prices of basic commodities and improve the living conditions of ordinary workers.

Maria Fe Redivalte, an SM worker from Old Sta. Mesa, Manila, noted that the program provides much-needed relief amid the financial pressures linked to ongoing energy and economic challenges.

“Malaking tulong po sa amin ang ayudang ito. Maraming salamat po kay Pangulong BBM at kay Mayor Isko Moreno,” she said.

During the rice distribution event, Marcos expressed his goal of eliminating hunger in the country within his term.

He highlighted the importance of initiatives like this and emphasized the critical role that local government units play in their implementation.

“Sabi ko, ‘sana pagbaba ko bilang Pangulo ay masasabi ko na wala nang gutom na Pilipino.’ Kaya po aming ginagawa, patuloy na ginagawa ito,” President Marcos said.

“Ito po ang simula. Kagaya ng sabi ko, nauna ang Maynila. Ngunit patuloy po ito at saka buong bansa ay mabibigyan natin.”

The “Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila” program is a presidential initiative that provides rice subsidies to workers in Manila as a response to rising food costs and economic pressures linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, while also supporting local farmers.

The Office of the President allocated P286 million to the Manila city government through the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU) program to fund the initiative.

Program proponents said the initiative is expected to help around 80,000 families in Manila by easing food expenses and freeing up household budgets for other essential needs.

-Paraluman News