Consumers urge increase in supply of P20 rice as stocks run out amid queues

Consumers in the National Capital Region who are qualified to avail of the government's P20-per-kilo rice are asking for more stocks under the government’s subsidized rice program. 

According to Bernadette Reyes’ report on “24 Oras,” people queued at the Navotas City Hall to avail of the affordable rice. Many of those who lined up for hours included senior citizens. 

However, the supply ran out before everyone in the line had bought their share.

“Agahan alangan naman pag gising mo nandito ka na tapos mag hintay ka hanggang alas otso, wala ka ng gagawin sa bahay,” said Myrna Roque. 

(It’s not practical for us to line up so early and wait for so many hours as if we don’t have anything to do at home.) 

“Nakakapanlata lang kaya ano marami ako gagawin sa bahay di tuloy nagawa.Sana dagdagan nila para yung iba nakakabili,” said Fely Ong. 

(It’s tiresome given that I still have chores to do at home. I hope they will restock them so more people can buy.) 

However, there were only 50 sacks of rice delivered in the Kadiwa Center in Navotas City. 

“Pinapayagan natin sila makabili, bawat isang tao, ng limang kilo para mas marami makabili. Nagbigay kami ng number base sa pinadalang bigas kaya yung dumating ng late na, wala talaga silang aabutan,” said Jomari Kangken, who is managing the Kadiwa Center. 

(We allow each person to buy up to five kilos. We gave queue numbers based on the number of stocks we have. So those who arrived late, will get nothing.) 

Likewise, nothing was left in the Kadiwa Center in Disiplina Village in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City. 

“Nung nalaman nila may P20, dinumog po kami. Umpisa 6:30, pag open namin, ang dami bumili. 'Yung 56 na kaban naubos agad,” said Jesus Bernardino, the manager of the said Kadiwa Center. 

(When they found out that there is P20 per kilo available, many people rushed to our store. We started at 6:30 a.m. and many have already queued.) 

The Department of Agriculture said that it is already working on improving the system to fasten the delivery of stocks to Kadiwa Centers. 

“Kailangan namin ng additional na mag bebenta dahil nga kung 250 sites nyan, kung mahaba ang pila you need at least four people,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. “Alam naman namin solusyon, it's just repositioning of funds and proseso ng pag-hiring.” 

(We need more sellers because if there are 250 sites, you need at least four people to accommodate the long queues. We know the solution, it’s just repositioning of funds and the hiring process.) 

Further, the DA is also considering expanding the rice subsidy program to other sectors apart from senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, and 4Ps beneficiaries. 

“Definitely po inaaral natin kung gusto pa natin palawigin o i-expand pa para i-include  natin yung mga nasa lower income bracket, yun po pinag aaral namin,” said Agriculture Undersecretary Genevieve Guevarra. 

(Definitely we are considering to expand the program to include those in the lower income bracket.) –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News