QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for his visit to the City and for selecting its residents to receive assistance through the rice distribution program.

“Ang pagbisita ng Pangulo sa Taguig ay testimonya na tayo ay una, mahal nya, sunod, tayo ay mahalaga sa kanya. Bilang punong lungsod ng Taguig, ipinapahayag ko po ang aking pakikiisa sa mga layunin ng ating Pangulo na mapagaan ang buhay ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” Mayor Lani said.

“Isa po ang mataas na presyo ng bigas sa alam kong araw-araw at gabi-gabi hinahanapan ng paraan, iniisip solusyunan ng Pangulo ng ating Republika. Kaya kami po bilang mga opisyales ng lokal na pamahalaan, ay nangangakong susuporta sa lahat ng programa magmula sa national government papunta sa mga kababayan natin dito sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Taguig," the mayor added.

On Wednesday, October 4, President Marcos led the distribution of rice for 4Ps beneficiaries in Taguig.

Around 1,000 Taguigueño Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries under Level 1 (survival) and Level 2 (subsistence) from Districts 1 and 2 of the City received 25 kilos of premium quality Jasmine rice each in the Taguig City University as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen food security.

The President said the distribution is also proof of the national  government's seriousness in curbing illegal activities, such as smuggling and hoarding that impact the supply and pricing of goods in the market.

The rice that was distributed was part of the over 42,000 sacks of smuggled rice worth P42 million confiscated by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) during a warehouse raid in Zamboanga City.

Seized perishable goods and agricultural items are usually destroyed as a preventive measure from reaching the market. However, the National Government decided for the distribution of the same to the "poorest of the poor."

"Hindi na po kaila sa inyo ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nagpulong-pulong dito ngayon. Una, upang mamahagi ng bigas sa ating mga benepisyaryo. Pangalawa, upang bigyan-diin ang ating pagsisikap sa pagsulong ng seguridad ng pagkain sa bansa. At ang panghuli, ay upang iparating sa inyo na seryoso ang pamahalaan sa pagsusugpo ng smuggling, sa hoarding at iba pang ilegal na gawaing nakakaapekto sa supply at presyo ng bilihin sa merkado," PBBM said.

He also commended the City's urban farming and agricultural initiatives and pledged to support such endeavors that promote sustainable agriculture, food security, and community well-being.

“Ang totoo po niyan, hanga po ako sa ginagawa niyo rito sa Taguig sa mga urban farming initiative na inyong ginagawa dito sa inyong lungsod. Ito ay isang patunay na pwede tayong magtanim kahit tayo ay nasa siyudad. Buo ang suporta ng administrasyon sa mga programang tulad na ito. Paiigtingin natin ang mga inisyatibang ito kasabay rin ang pagpapatupad ng mga hakbang ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan,” he added.

The City Government of Taguig has also shown its support for the National Government's Executive Order no. 39, which sets price caps on rice to help ease any burden on consumers due to hoarding and price manipulation.

In collaboration with DTI and DSWD, the City also distributed cash assistance to micro rice retailers. Qualified rice retailers received cash assistance amounting to P15,000 through the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.

The City of Taguig is one with the advocacy of promoting food security for all. (taguig pio/pia-ncr)