By Christine Fabro
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday, March 16 said the government is close to achieving the P20 price per kilogram of rice, a goal he had set prior to the start of his administration.
“Makikita ninyo, halimbawa ‘yung bigas, ‘yung aking pangarap na sinabi na noong bago akong upo na sana mapababa natin ang presyo ng bigas ng P20. Hindi pa tayo umaabot doon, dahan-dahan palapit,” the President said at the launching of first Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative in Bicol Region.
“Nasa P25 na lang tayo. Kaunti na lang, maibababa natin ‘yan,” he added.
Marcos explained that the government rolled out similar initiatives to stabilize the price of sugar and onions through augmenting the supply of such products.
The Marcos administration has so far launched more than 500 Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets nationwide, with its primary goal of providing consumers affordable basic commodities while assisting local farmers and producers to secure direct access to markets.
“Magtatayo ng palengke para maipagbili nang mas mababang presyo ang ating mga agricultural products, ang ating mga finished products, lahat po ‘yan ay binibigyan din natin ng pagkakataon–‘yung mga maliliit na negosyo sa bawat lugar kung saan ‘yung Kadiwa, para mayroon silang lugar para ipagbili ang kanilang mga produkto,” the President said. -ag