The government will continue improving Filipinos’ lives through subsidies, food access, and job opportunities, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during a visit in Iloilo on Thursday, Feb. 13.
“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,” according to Marcos Jr.
“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 also said.
The President highlighted efforts such as job fairs, affordable food programs, and state aid for the poor.
At the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district, Marcos Jr. observed a DSWD payout and a jobs fair, where around 2,000 job opportunities were available. The government assists job seekers through matching programs and skills training.
He also announced that Iloilo residents can buy rice for P29 per kilo from Kadiwa outlets. So far, Kadiwa has sold 1,106 metric tons of rice to over 220,000 households.
To further reduce rice prices, the government will lower the maximum suggested retail price from P55 to P49 per kilo in March and roll out the Rice for All program. The rice import tariff was also cut from 30% to 15% to boost supply and stabilize prices.
With the food security emergency declaration, Iloilo City can now purchase rice from the NFA at P35 per kilo.IMT
