THE Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program has now reached the province of Oriental Mindoro as a total of 2,000 residents received cash and rice assistance from the revolutionary program that distributes aid by legislative districts of the House of Representatives.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is the primary proponent of the program, said it is a testament to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s tireless efforts to provide affordable rice to Filipino families and to distribute aid to the vulnerable sectors of society.
“Isa ito sa mga panawagan ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ang maghatid tayo ng kalinga sa ating mga kababayan na hirap sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin at pagkain. Kaya natin naisip ang programang ito para matulungan ang mga sektor na kailangan ng konting alalay,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, said Saturday.
“Sa CARD Program, tinututukan natin ang mga vulnerable sector ng ating lipunan, tulad ng mga indigent senior citizens, persons with disabilities, mga solo parents at mga indigenous people o IP. At siniguro natin na mabibigyan natin ang lahat ng distrito sa Pilipinas dahil per district ang ating distribution,” he added.
The CARD Program in Oriental Mindoro was held at the Mindoro State University Gymnasium in the Municipality of Victoria Saturday morning, led by Speaker Romualdez with the assistance of Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor, and Rep. Arnan Panaligan
A total of 50,000 kilograms of rice were distributed to 2,000 qualified residents of Oriental Mindoro. The CARD Program is an aid program where beneficiaries will receive P2,000 in assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) broken down as follows: P1,000 as cash aid and P1,000 for a 25-kilogram sack of rice.
All the beneficiaries are identified by the DSWD, and they include senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents and IPs.
Speaker Romualdez has earned the nickname “Mr. Rice” not only for his programs involving rice distribution especially to indigent and vulnerable Filipinos, but also for his tough stance against rice smugglers and their government cohorts.
“Ang bigas ay buhay. At hindi natin pababayaang mawalan ng access sa murang bigas ang ating mga kababayan. Kaya ang lahat ng aming pagsisikap dito sa Kamara ay nakatuon dito sa pagpapamura ng bigas, kasama na ang pagtugis sa mga rice smugglers,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The last CARD Program distribution was held in Sultan Kudarat, where a total of 500,000 kilograms of rice were distributed to residents of the Mindanao province.
Initiated last year, the program seeks to provide cash and rice assistance to qualified Filipino families, which will be identified by legislative districts.
The pilot distribution was done in Metro Manila, covering all its 33 legislative districts, and in Biñan City and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
