NANGAKO si Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez na patuloy na isusulong ng Kamara de Representantes ang pagpaparami ng suplay at pagbaba ng presyo ng bigas.

“Hindi po kami titigil hangga’t hindi naibaba ang presyo ng bigas sa halagang abot-kaya ng ordinaryong mamamayan,” ani Speaker Romualdez sa kanyang talumpati sa Philippine Economic Briefing na ginanap sa Iloilo City na inorganisa ng mga economic manager ng administrasyong Marcos.

Ginawa ni Speaker Romualdez ang pahayag matapos na makatanggap ng ulat na kokonti na lamang ang nagbebenta ng bigas na mababa sa P50 ang presyo kada kilo.

“You may have noticed by now that the House of Representatives, perhaps for the first time, is exercising fully its oversight functions to fight the cartels involved in smuggling, hoarding and price manipulation of rice and other basic agricultural commodities. We are determined to help the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to make food accessible and affordable to Filipinos,” sabi ni Speaker Romualdez.

Noong Sabado ay inilungsad ni Romualdez sa Iloilo ang Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program kung saan binigyan ng P2,000 ayuda kasama ang 25 kilong bigas ang may 3,000 benepisyaryo.

Sinabi ni Speaker Romualdez na malaki rin ang magiging papel ng 2024 General Appropriations Bill upang mapaganda ang buhay ng mga Pilipino.

“It is not just a financial document; it is a blueprint for national development and a tool for improving the lives of every Filipino. It will allocate funds necessary for infrastructure projects, educational reforms, healthcare improvements, business development, and agricultural support,” sabi nito.

Sinabi ni Speaker Romualdez na ang budget para sa susunod na taon ay ginawa upang mapaganda ang kalagayan ng buhay ng mga Pilipino.

“It will focus on regional development, ensuring that progress is not centered only in urban areas but is spread across the archipelago,” wika pa nito.

“As we work together with various sectors and stakeholders, we are confident that the Philippines will emerge as a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable nation,” sabi pa ng lider ng Kamara.

Kasama sa dumalo sa briefing sina Secretaries Benjamin Diokno ng finance, Amenah Pangandaman ng budget, Arsenio Balisacan ng National Economic and Development Authority, Jaime Bautista ng transportation, Raphael Lotilla ng energy, Bienvenido Laguesma ng labor and employment, at Ivan John Uy ng information and communications technology.