TIMELY AID. The Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program in Bukidnon province takes off at Malaybalay Central School on Saturday (Nov. 11, 2023). Each of the estimated 3,000 beneficiaries received a 25-kilogram sack of rice and PHP 1,000 in cash. (Photo courtesy of Office of the Speaker)
MANILA – At least 3,000 indigents were provided with rice and financial assistance during the launch of the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program in Bukidnon on Saturday.
The CARD was initiated in response to the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to create a program to give poor and vulnerable families cash aid and cheaper rice.
The world is reeling from high prices of basic goods due to the global inflation brought by tensions in the Middle East, making it hard for government to bring down the price of rice in the Philippines, according to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who represented the President.
“Ganunpaman, sinikap nating humanap ng paraan kung paano makatulong para mapagaan ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan sa harap ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bigas at iba pang bilihin (Nevertheless, we strive to find a way to help ease the lives of our countrymen amid the rising prices of rice and other basic goods),” Romualdez said in his speech at Malaybalay Central School.
The CARD program was conceived with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
Under the program, each beneficiary, which will include senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents and indigenous peoples, will receive at least PHP2,000 worth of cash and rice assistance: a 25-kilogram sack of rice and PHP 1,000 in cash.
The DSWD will identify 10,000 beneficiaries in each legislative district, translating to 2.5 million indigent and vulnerable Filipinos.
The program was earlier launched in Metro Manila, covering all its 33 legislative districts.
At least 5,000 residents in the cities of Biñan and Santa Rosa in Laguna province also benefitted from CARD.
Romualdez noted that like President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Program (BPSF), the CARD program will go nationwide to serve constituents of 250 congressional districts.
“Layon po natin na palawakin ang programang ito sa lahat ng panig ng bansa. Simula pa lamang ito ng patuloy na pagbibigay natin ng ginhawa sa ating mga mamamayan (We aim to expand this program all over the country. This is just the start of the continuous effort to provide comfort to our countrymen),” Romualdez said.
The launch of the CARD program coincided with the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in the province, expected to provide around 110,000 beneficiaries with over PHP 379 million in cash assistance and government services until Sunday. (PNA)
