Speaker Romualdez vows to make rice available and affordable

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday vowed that the House of Representatives would relentlessly pursue efforts to make rice, the Filipinos’ staple food, available at affordable prices.

“Hindi po kami titigil hangga’t hindi naibaba ang presyo ng bigas sa halagang abot-kaya ng ordinaryong mamamayan,” Speaker Romualdez said in his keynote message during the Philippine Economic Briefing in Iloilo City organized by the Marcos administration’s economic managers to inform the city’s private sector on the administration’s achievements and development plans.

He made the commitment amid reports that low-priced rice, whose retail price President Marcos had capped at P45 per kilo, is now seldom available in the market, which is flooded with varieties selling at prices above P50 per kilo.

“You may have noticed by now that the House of Representatives, perhaps for the first time, is exercising fully its oversight functions to fight the cartels involved in smuggling, hoarding and price manipulation of rice and other basic agricultural commodities. We are determined to help the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to make food accessible and affordable to Filipinos,” Speaker Romualdez said.

On Saturday, Romualdez launched the Iloilo leg of the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program where 3,000 indigent beneficiaries received P2,000 worth of cash and rice assistance: 25-kilogram sack of rice and P1,000 in cash to buy other food essentials.

A joint program of the House of Representatives and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, CARD was conceived as a response to the call of President Marcos to provide rice and financial assistance to the poor through the legislative districts.

Earlier that day, the Speaker also spearheaded the launch of the two-day Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) program of President Marcos that brought to the doorstep of nearly 100,000 Ilonggos 160 services and program of 51 government agencies, with the total value of such services provided estimated at nearly P1 billion.

“As an agricultural nation, we are dedicated to supporting our farmers and fisherfolk, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices,” he said.

The leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives said agricultural development and food security is one of the key legislative priorities of his chamber.

The other priorities are infrastructure development, education and workforce development, healthcare and social services, and business and investment climate, he added.

“The House of Representatives is steadfast in enacting laws that will spur economic growth, create more jobs, and improve the overall quality of life for our people,” he stressed.

He pointed out that House support for infrastructure development include funding allocations in transportation, digital infrastructure and utilities, and ensuring that these are sustainable and environment-friendly.

“Recognizing that our youth is our future, we prioritize enhancing our educational system. This includes adapting to technological advancements and aligning educational programs with industry needs, to ensure that our workforce is competitive and ready for the challenges of the global economy,” the House leader said.

He said it is important for the country to strengthen its healthcare and social services.

“We are focused on increasing healthcare funding, improving facilities, and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all Filipinos. Alongside this, we are enhancing social services to support the most vulnerable sectors of our society,” he said.

He added that in the areas of business and investment, the House aims to create an environment more conducive for businesses, both local and foreign, by reviewing and amending relevant laws, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Our focus is on creating a robust economy, where every Filipino, from the northernmost provinces to the southernmost islands, can thrive with peace and abundance,” he emphasized.

Speaker Romualdez told his audience that the 2024 General Appropriations Bill “plays a crucial role in realizing these priorities.”

“It is not just a financial document; it is a blueprint for national development and a tool for improving the lives of every Filipino. It will allocate funds necessary for infrastructure projects, educational reforms, healthcare improvements, business development, and agricultural support,” he said.

He said the House version of the proposed national budget for next year was crafted “with a vision of inclusivity, ensuring that growth is felt by every sector of society.”

“It will focus on regional development, ensuring that progress is not centered only in urban areas but is spread across the archipelago,” he said.

He reiterated that the House of Representatives “is fully committed to steering our legislative efforts towards economic transformation that benefits all.”

“As we work together with various sectors and stakeholders, we are confident that the Philippines will emerge as a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable nation,” he said.

Among the participants in the Iloilo economic briefing were Secretaries Benjamin Diokno of finance, Amenah Pangandaman of budget, Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority, Jaime Bautista of transportation, Raphael Lotilla of energy, Bienvenido Laguesma of labor and employment, and  Ivan John Uy of information and communications technology.