Cebu (CNN Philippines, October 26) – Indigent Cebuanos will soon be able to purchase rice at ₱20 per kilo in popup stores dubbed “Sugbo Merkadong Barato [SMB-Cebu Cheap Market]” run by the Cebu Provincial Capitol to be set up around the province.
The initial plan was to sell rice at ₱25 per kilo but Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and some local mayors wanted to drop the price further even if the provincial governmen might incur more losses.
\”It is a province wide program where it will be Cebu that will be the first to be able to sell NFA (National Food Authority) rice at ₱20— fulfilling the President’s promise at ₱20 per kilo,\” Garcia said during a meeting with mayors of the component towns and cities of Cebu Province.
The Capitol earmarked ₱100 million of its local funds for the purchase of NFA rice to be sold at popup markets.
Garcia projected losses of at least 20% but said this can be seen as a form of financial assistance to indigent families amid soaring prices of basic commodities.
The provincial government will initially purchase 10,000 sacks of \” NFA Rice\” which it will sell to its constituents daily from Monday to Friday, the governor said.
The sacks will be distributed \”equitably\” depending on the population of marginalized families listed by its local social welfare offices, she added.
Eligible indigent families will be able to purchase five kilos per week. Garcia said QR-codes will be issued to beneficiaries to track their purchases so as not to exceed the limit.
The governor also plans to expand the program to other families not currently eligible for the program by selling cheaper commercial rice at SMB stores. No prices have been announced yet.
Garcia also revealed that the purchase of cheaper commercial rice varieties will be limited to 10 kilos a week per family.
The SMB stores will be opened once the towns and cities finish submitting their list of indigent families eligible to purchase NFA rice.
