DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite (PIA) — The initial rollout of the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na’ initiative in Dasmariñas City, Cavite has received public support as members of the vulnerable sectors welcome the government’s efforts to ensure rice accessibility and food security.
Vilma Menezes was one of the first senior citizens who waited outside the covered court at Barangay Salitran III.
Her breakfast in hand, Vilma did not mind waiting for an hour outside of the covered court. In fact, she was the first to stand up when the caretaker opened the gates that divided her and the other residents from the big sacks of rice to be sold on Friday, May 16.
Vilma was one of the many residents who availed of the P20 Rice Program, purchasing 10 kilos of rice—enough to feed her family of five when combined with the rice her bedridden husband also bought.
“I left my husband at home to buy rice. I am very thankful to the organizers. I hope that there will be more [P20 rice programs] where we can buy [affordable] rice.”
Dubbed ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na’, the P20 rice program is part of the Marcos Jr. administration’s bid to make rice more affordable especially to the vulnerable sector, including senior citizens, Persons With Disability (PWD), and pregnant mothers.
Jennifer Ibayan, City Agriculturist, said they were prepared to cater to the senior citizens who needed more assistance.
“Barangay Salitran 3 is just a sample where a lot of residents wanted to avail the P20 rice. We are expecting to make stops at other barangays in the coming weeks, if we have rice to sell.”
Raul Valles, barangay captain of Barangay Salitran III, said there are more than 2,500 residents who are part of the vulnerable sector in their community: of which 2,000 are senior citizens, more than 100 solo parents, and more than 400 PWDs.
Valles, over the microphone, announced that they will prioritize their residents and will cater other barangays once they are sure that his kabarangays have bought rice for their families.
“There are already more than 2,000 senior citizens in our barangay alone. I think we would not be able to cater to everyone if we will also cater to those from other barangays,” Valles admitted.
Barangay Salitran III has prepared for the expected influx of residents who will buy the P20 rice, barangay peacekeepers to keep the lines organized. Barangay Health Workers and emergency medical personnel were also on standby in case senior citizens needed their assistance.
“Our lupong tagapamayapa, our medics, BHWs, and tanod are on standby outside to assist in managing the traffic flow around this place.”
According to the City Agriculturist Office, Barangay Salitran 3 was the first among the many barangays in the city to host the P20 Rice Program. (PB/PIA4A)