‘Roxas LGU won’t halt issuing rice to residents’

By Ruthsel T. Cuadernal, intern

“INDI ako magpasugot nga mauntat ini, indi ako magpasugot nga wala kita pagahimuon nga tikang nga
kung sa diin mapadayon ini kay ini nakabulig sa kabilugan sang Roxas City,” Mayor Ronnie Dadivas said in a recent press conference.
He conducted the press conference to update the Capiznons about the local government’s food security
program, dubbed “Bugas Para sa Taga Roxas,” which distributes a total of 15 kilograms of rice to each household of more than 40,000 families around the city every month.
The distribution halted on January 20 after the Mayor’s Office was informed by its supplier, the National Food Authority, in a letter on January 25 stating that the agency will stop all issuances except for
typhoons or calamity purposes.
“Dako ini nga challenge sa aton kay ang aton source madula,” said Dadivas who underscored the need to continue the program, especially after the residents have encountered flooding, red tide, and price
hike of commodities in recent months.
Dadivas said the city may conduct 45-day public bidding to the local and private farmers of Capiz for the continuation of its food security program.
Also, the option of reducing the distribution of rice from 15 kilos to 10 to be allocated for the
residents is being considered.*