Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez with Cagayan de Oro City 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan and 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez leads the launching of the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program to 3,000 beneficiaries Thursday morning at West Central School in Cagayan de Oro City. A joint initiative of the House of Representatives and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the program seeks to help indigents, senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents and IPs amid rising food prices. Also present during the event are over 53 Districts and Partylist House Members led by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose"Mannix' Dalipe and other local government officials.
THE revolutionary Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program spearheaded by “Mr. Rice” himself, House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, has benefited a total of 3,000 beneficiaries in its launch in Cagayan de Oro City on May 16.
“Isa po ito sa programa ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. para labanan ang gutom at magbigay ng tulong sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na yung bahagi ng ating mga vulnerable sectors,” said Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-member House of Representatives.
“Isinasabay natin ito sa Serbisyo Fair para lahat ng malalaking siyudad tulad ng CDO at mga lalawigan ay kasama sa tulong pinansyal at rice aid. Nawa’y makatulong ito sa pagharap ng ating mamamayan sa hamon ng mataas na presyo ng bigas at pagkain,” the Congress leader added.
The CARD Program is an initiative of Speaker Romualdez that responds to the increasing rice prices, as it aims to support vulnerable Filipinos by providing them with affordable access to rice and essential cash assistance.
The program not only intends to boost the purchasing power of the public but also serves as a strategic measure against hoarding and price manipulation of rice stocks. The CARD Program represents a joint effort to address the challenges of rising rice prices and promote economic stability for the benefit of the Filipino people.
A total of 3,000 beneficiaries from Cagayan de Oro City from the marginalized groups including the poor, senior citizens, PWDs, single parents and IPs, among others, received P2,000 each through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
The assistance is broken down as follows: P1,000 worth of 25-kg premium rice and P2,000 worth of cash aid, which was given to the beneficiaries in a simple ceremony in West Central Elementary School Gym last May 16.
“Hindi po dito nagtatapos ang ating pagsisikap na tulungan ang ating mamamayan na ibaba ang presyo ng bigas sa buong bansa. Ina-amyendahan natin ang Rice Tariffication Law para ibalik ang murang bigas galing sa NFA,” Romualdez said.
“At may programa tayong bago kung saan magbebenta ang mga Kadiwa Stores ng bigas ng mas mababa sa P30 per kilo itong darating na Hulyo. Kaya tuloy-tuloy ang ating programa para sa ikabubuti ng kalagayan ng milyon-milyong pamilyang Pilipino,” he added.
