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BOTOLOAN, Zambales — After two months of going around the second district of Zambales, a total of 156,443 families have benefitted from the rice subsidy program that offers the staple food at P20 per kilogram.

The program, which reached 10 towns in the province, was made possible through the initiative of Rep. Doris Maniquiz and the support of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog Partylist Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez.

Maniquiz said the P20 per kilogram price of the commercial rice is part of her administration's thrust to provide affordable rice to the Zambaleños, which is in line with the goal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"Our rice subsidy program was successful. This was fully implemented due to our unified hard work and cooperation," Maniquiz said.

"This is certainly a big help to our fellow Zambaleños, especially during the rainy season when the harvest of farmers is low, many people have little income and the level of poverty is higher in this time when every cent is valuable."

Maniquiz also expressed her gratitude to Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., the mayors of the towns and the barangay leaders for supporting the program. She also lauded the hardworking staff and volunteers of the Kalingang Nanay Bing and the Tingog Centers who provided their time and effort to ensure the proper distribution of rice in every town.

"Thank you everyone for making this rice subsidy program a success. This is a win for all of us, a testament that unity and cooperation can surpass any challenges we face as we progress together under the Bagong Pilipinas," she said.

The rice subsidy program is on its 11th year as Maniquiz started this when she was then mayor of Botolan.

The funds for the subsidy came from her own pocket, in which she continued to her first term as lawmaker, and still continues to do so as member of the Tingog Partylist.

For the closing ceremony of the rice subsidy program, a simple celebration was held where Maniquiz was also congratulated for winning an award at the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) Summit 2024.

President Marcos, who led the BPSF Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Aug. 19, 2024, gave recognition to 21 lawmakers who embraced the challenge of bringing the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair to their provinces, including Maniquiz.

Maniquiz was cited for her unwavering dedication that has become the key in bringing important and valuable government services directly to the community, and ensuring that every Filipino will benefit from the dream of a new and progressive Philippines.

Source :  msn