Sagip Party list Representative Rodante Marcoleta visited Barangay Cabet ican in Bacolor town as he launched his nationwide campaign to “rescue” rice farmers by forming a formula that may prevent hoarding and smuggling that cause price hikes. (File photo/AP Photo)

BACOLOR — Sagip Party list Representative Rodante Marcoleta visited Barangay Cabet ican in Bacolor town as he launched his nationwide campaign to “rescue” rice farmers by forming a formula that may prevent hoarding and smuggling that cause price hikes.

Some 200 villagers benefitted from the program which saw to the selling of denurado rice worth P35 per kilo.

Each beneficiary was allowed to buy at least five kilos.

Marcoleta said this proves that reducing the intervention of so many “middle men” in the rice trade can bring prices down to realistic levels.

Marcoleta was joined by Pampanga 3rd District Board Member Ananias Canlas.

The partylist representative also led the launching of the program in Barangay Cristo Rey, Capas where denorado was also sold at P35 per kilo.

He said this is 17 pesos lower than the prevailing market price.

Marcoleta said the move is aimed to avoid panic buying and hoarding in order to spread its supply to more consumers.

The solon added that the program is in collaboration with President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos’ agenda, on food security.

“And to realize that, we need to amalgamate all patriotic businessmen in the country who can invest in the program even without profit in the process because that is the only way to help out our farmers and consumers as wel l as our national government ,” Marcoleta said in vernacular.

“Gumagawa ng paraan ang ating Pangulo pero kailangan natin siyang tulungan. Hindi puwedeng lagi na lang ang gobyerno ang humahanap ng interes para sa bayan,” he added.

The project for farmers is dubbed “Ikiskiss Mo Beybi! Adopt a Farmer Program.”

Heeding the call for the program was local businessman Tony Marfori and members of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce, who bought palay yields directly from the farmers, P3 higher than the 19 pesos buying price of the National Food Authority (NFA).

The product dried, properly-mil led and sold to consumers to a break-even price.

Published Date: October 23, 2023