By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso and Vice Mayor Chi Atienza led the rollout of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila” program on Monday, April 20, delivering 10-kilogram packs of commercial rice directly to employees at a McDonald’s branch along UN Avenue corner Del Pilar.
The workplace distribution is part of Manila’s push to bring rice subsidies to an estimated 80,000 workers across the city without disrupting operations or pulling employees away from their shifts. More rounds are scheduled every other month for the next six months.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala, kita ninyo, dito kami pumunta. At ito ay gagawin nang sama-sama para sa inyong lahat,” Mayor Domagoso told workers during the turnover. “Kapag gusto, maraming paraan.”
The mayor said the initiative recognizes Manila’s working class for keeping businesses running. “This is for our working class in the City of Manila, and we are very proud of you because of what you’re doing for the companies that you serve,” he said. “Kung kayo’y nagsisipag, lalago ang negosyo. Paglago ng negosyo, mas maraming negosyong mabubuksan.”
Vice Mayor Chi Atienza said bringing the aid to workplaces shows respect for workers’ time. “Hindi na kailangang pumila o um-absent. Gobyerno ang lalapit sa tao. ‘Yan ang utos ni Pangulong Marcos at ‘yan ang ginagawa ng Maynila,” Atienza said.
The program is bankrolled by a P286-million release from the Office of the President to the Manila city government through the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU).
Domagoso said the rice aid aims to blunt the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has pushed up prices of basic goods and squeezed household budgets of ordinary wage earners.
Workers who received packs during the earlier pilot run at SM City Manila said the assistance helps stretch weekly food budgets.
President Marcos and Mayor Domagoso launched “Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila” on April 16 at SM City Manila. The President said he hopes the program will help end hunger before his term ends.
He also praised Manila for moving fastest whenever the national government opens a new initiative. “Kapag nagbubukas kami ng programa, nauuna. Sinasabi ko: ‘Sino iyong handa, sino iyong ready? Maynila pwede na daw bukas.’ Eh, di iyon — punta na ako sa Maynila,” Marcos said.
ia/xf
