ILIGAN CITY (PIA) -- Some 222 residents here were able to buy rice at an affordable price of P25 per kilo  from the National Food Authority (NFA)  during the Serbisyong Iliganon Caravan. 

Residents were limited to purchasing a maximum of 4 kilos of rice each to  ensure that the opportunity was available to as many community members as possible.  

Residents were elated by the affordable rice available. One of them is Lucia Paghasian, a 75-year-old vendor at Tambo Market.  She was delighted to find out that she could get four kilos of rice for her 100 pesos.

"Nalipay ko nga nakapalit og baratong bugas. Sa akong P100, naa nako’y upat ka kilong  bugas. Kanindot ani, barato na, maayo pud nga klase,” she said.

[I am happy that I was able to buy cheap rice. With my P100, I already have four kilos of rice. This is great, it's cheap, and it's also good quality.]

Meanwhile, Jella Bantilan from Barangay Saray, expressed her happiness at being able to purchase affordable rice, which she considered a significant help to her family.  

The NFA spearheaded this initiative in collaboration with the City Agriculturist's Office. Interested individuals can purchase affordable rice  during the service caravans that will be held on  February 22 in Pala-o Gym, Barangay Pala-o, February 27 in  Barangay Santo Rosario, and March 12, 2024 in Barangay Digkilaan. 

The city government spearheaded the Serbisyong Iliganong Caravan in collaboration with various national government agencies and other stakeholders to bring different services closer to the people. The caravan is held every Tuesday and Thursday in different barangays.  The caravan offers services including medical and dental consultations, hair grooming, circumcision, notarial and legal assistance, shoe repairs, bolo sharpening, and the distribution of free reading eyeglasses, vegetable seeds, and seedlings, among others. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)