Lower House, DSWD to launch Malaya Rice Project

Transcript

00:00 A new hunger/poverty alleviation scheme is up next week.

00:04 That'll help the destitute, indigents and other marginalized sectors hit hard by the

00:09 spate of price increases on food and essential items.

00:13 Dubbed Malaya Rice Project to signify the provision of the staple grain to help in attaining

00:18 freedom from hunger, a base amount of P1500 is up for each qualified beneficiary that

00:25 our Melales Moros details in this report.

00:28 To further help our countrymen amid the high prices of rice and other commodities, the

00:34 House of Representatives together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development

00:39 will be launching a new cash assistance program next week.

00:42 This is the Malaya Rice Project which is set to kick off in Metro Manila and expects to

00:47 benefit over 3 million individuals nationwide including those in the low-income sector,

00:53 senior citizens, persons with disabilities, single parents and indigenous people.

00:58 Under the project, each beneficiary will receive P1500 cash assistance wherein P570 will be

01:05 allocated to purchase rice and the remaining amount will be used for other needs and expenses.

01:11 But it begs the question of how to be part of this project.

01:14 The list of beneficiaries will be identified and released by congressional district offices

01:19 in different parts of the country.

01:22 According to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, this initiative intends to provide immediate

01:26 help to those who are struggling while the government works on long-term solutions to

01:31 hunger and cutting down the cost of expensive goods.

01:34 He reiterated, "The government understands the hardships Filipinos bear, so the authorities

01:39 will not cease to assist the people in need during these challenging times."

01:43 Meanwhile, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos along with other lawmakers are

01:49 also batting for system reforms at the Bureau of Corrections and Bureau of Jail Management

01:54 and Penology.

01:56 Under House Bill No. 9194, the lawmakers are pushing for the establishment of digital prison

02:02 record system in the country.

02:04 This is to efficiently store, manage and share information related to persons deprived of

02:09 liberty like their case numbers, relevant court orders and other important matters.

02:15 Also other lawmakers continue to file new bills and resolutions for other sectors in

02:20 the society.

02:21 Melales Moras for The Nation.