BALANGA CITY (PIA) — Some 600 residents of Barangay Cupang Proper in Balanga City, Bataan, were able to purchase affordable rice through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo rolling store, helping families secure their food needs amid rising fuel prices.
Each beneficiary availed of 10 kilograms of rice under the “Benteng Bigas” program, sold at P20 per kilogram, for a total of 6,000 kilograms distributed in the barangay on March 9.
The activity is part of the local and national governments’ efforts to make essential food commodities accessible and affordable, especially as higher fuel prices may raise transportation and logistics costs.
By bringing rice directly to communities, families can save on household expenses while ensuring access to staple goods at reasonable prices.
The city government, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Food Authority, and Food Terminal Incorporated, implemented the initiative to strengthen local food access.
Balanga City Mayor Raquel Francis Garcia emphasized that this effort provides responsive services and delivers positive results for every Balangueño family.
“Sa pamamagitan ng Benteng Bigas at Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, mas napapalapit ng ating gobyerno ang serbisyong abot-kamay ng bawat isa, at natutulungan ang ating mga kababayan sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan,” she added.
Beneficiaries said the program helped them save not only on rice and transportation costs but also appreciated the convenience of having affordable rice delivered to their community, reducing the daily burden on families.
Led by the DA, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program continues to promote direct farm-to-consumer marketing. It supports the national government’s food security agenda by making agricultural products more accessible and affordable to Filipino communities.
