Rama asked on policy direction of rice price reduction program

The Cebu City Council is requesting Mayor Michael Rama to provide a policy direction on the price of rice reduction program to alleviate the marginalized constituents.

This motion came after City Market Administrator Rorbert Barquilla submitted a letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod in response to a resolution that directed their office to prepare a P20 rice program that aims to benefit the indigent families and enable them to a subsidize rice at a much lower price compared to the regular rice price in the market.

In a letter dated December 27, 2023 and signed by Barquilla, it was said that he is yet to ask guidance from the Market Authority, being the policy making body prior to the implementation of the said program being asked through the resolution.

“The contention of the council is true and correct, that there will be a program accessible to the indigent residents of each barangay in Cebu City. Thus, the poor will no longer spend for the high cost of fare in going to the different public markets,” an excerpt of Barquilla’s letter reads.

He, however, cited a report that said that in Cebu Province “the province absorbs the loss of P5.00 loss for every kilo of NFA rice sold to selected beneficiaries, which amounts to an initial loss of 20M from the 100M budget."

Additionally, Barquilla also cited that even the Office of the President had set the price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilo and well-milled rice at P45.00 through executive order 89 was “not sustained.”

“That the ‘Php 20.00 RICE PROGRAM’ should be implemented by the NFA and must be coordinated by the Cebu City Government through the Office of the City Markets and the DTI. This will deter unscrupulous individuals to abuse this kind of program of the city government,” Barquilla emphasized.

Furthermore, Barquilla also emphasized that the market administrator is on planning stage and for approval of the Market Authority of initiating a mobile market and "Tabo sa Barangay" for the distant barangays and depressed areas in the city.

Accordingly, the "Tabo sa Barangay” program will make it “easier for lowincome farmer” to get basic commodities at a cheaper price in their barangay.

In line with this, Barquilla also clarified that they will initiate the programs should the policy making body initiate the program and its governing policies and will endorse it to the city mayor.

“After such a move, the Office of the City Markets will implement the program as stated in the policies and guidelines approved,” his letter further reads.

During the discussion, Minority Floor Leader, Councilor Nestor Archival, has moved to request the City Mayor to provide the city council his policy direction on the price of rice reduction program of the City of Cebu to “alleviate the flight of the marginalized constituents of Cebu City” in which the council has approved.