President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he hopes the nationwide implementation of the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” project could lower rice prices this holiday season.
“The 20 pesos was really the goal, the dream is paabutin natin ng 20 pesos. We are trying to do… we are continuing with the transfer payments that we have begun with. We are going to widen the scope of the Kadiwa,” President Marcos said in an interview with the media in Los Baños, Laguna.
“The Kadiwa was always conducted sa LGU (local government unit) at ang LGU level, individually. Ngayon, ginawa na naming national program. Sinama na natin lahat-lahat nung mga Kadiwa. I’m hoping that we can – we will see some adjustment in prices for Christmas and it looks like baka naman swertehin tayo,” the President pointed out.
The “Kadiwa ng Pasko” project is seen to benefit thousands of farmers and fisherfolk by providing them additional profits.
Through the nationwide launch of Kadiwa centers, farmers will be freed from the control of unscrupulous traders and middlemen.
But what’s bugging him, President Marcos said, was the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) on the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) of San Miguel Corp. and Meralco, which could raise electricity rates.
The administration is working to find ways to prevent power prices from increasing at least during the Christmas season to avoid imposing additional burden on the people, according to the President.
“If we could postpone and padahan-dahanin lang natin kung tataas naman. Dahan-dahanin ang pagtaas. Masyado nang mahirap – masyado nang nahirapan ang tao,” Marcos said.
The government fears the temporary suspension of the PSA implementation will consequently expose registered Meralco consumers in the National Capital Region and other areas in Central Luzon and Calabarzon to higher cost of electricity.
