ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the distribution of premium quality rice to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during his visit to the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in San Roque on Tuesday, September 19.
This initiative aligns with Marcos Jr.’s commitment to help to the people amidst the ongoing economic crisis. During his visit, 1,500 beneficiaries received rice.
The rice, valued at 42 million pesos, comes from the 42,180 sacks of smuggled rice confiscated by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga during a raid on a warehouse in Barangay San Jose on September 15.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office in the region received the rice for distribution to the beneficiaries.
Mayor John Dalipe expressed his support for Marcos Jr.’s campaign against hoarding and illegal rice imports. He thanked Marcos Jr. for issuing Executive Order 39, which mandates the implementation of a rice price cap nationwide.
As part of the program, Marcos Jr. also provided various forms of assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Department of Labor and Employment to different farmer’s and fisherfolks associations in the city.
The beneficiaries are members of the 4Ps from Barangays Kasanyangan, Rio Hondo, Mariki, Santa Catalina, Baliwasan, San Jose Gusu, and San Roque. Each received one sack of rice, weighing 25 kilograms.