Senate OKs measure converting gov’t cash subsidy to rice on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate approved on second reading Wednesday the measure seeking to provide rice instead of rice cash subsidy to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). 

The approval of the measure came after the Senate committees on agriculture and agrarian reform approved Senate Joint Resolution  No. 8 which was signed by 14 senators in a move to aid farmers in the country. 

READ: Senate panel OKs bill converting gov’t cash subsidy to rice

Under the resolution, concerned government agencies and local government units are authorized to purchase the rice to be given to 4Ps beneficiaries straight from local farmers. 

The program grants the beneficiaries of the rice subsidy in the form of financial assistance in the amount of P600 per month, equivalent to 20 kilos of rice.

This is in addition to the cash assistance to the same beneficiaries of P300 per month or P3,600 per year under the 4Ps program.

The resolution noted that a total budget of P33.9 billion are allotted for rice subsidies, a chuck of which is given to 4Ps beneficiaries under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

Citing latest government statistics, the resolution states that average palay prices plummeted from P23.10 per kilogram last year to P16.28 per kilogram. 

This was the lowest palay price in seven years, the resolution noted. /je