CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of low-income residents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities are spending their nights on cold pavements outside the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Sitio Baloy, Barangay Cugman, all for a chance to purchase subsidized rice at ₱20 per kilo.
The “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” program, a fulfillment of a campaign promise by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has drawn massive crowds to the NFA’s centralized distribution point, with some residents lining up as early as 2:00 PM the day before.
For many in Northern Mindanao, the subsidized price is a vital lifeline as commercial rice prices continue to soar. However, the savings come with a significant physical toll:
- The Overnight Wait: Residents like 74-year-old retired mechanic Demly Sobrepeña wait over 13 hours through the chilly night to ensure they don’t lose their spot in a line of over 700 people.
- Strict Rationing: Buyers are limited to 10 kilos per week (40 kilos per month). For larger families, like that of carpenter Resty Calope, the 10-kilo bag lasts only two days, necessitating a constant cycle of lining up.
- Limited Access: Only 500 coupons are distributed daily starting at 5:00 AM. Once these are gone, the gates close, forcing the remaining crowd to wait until the next day’s distribution begins.
The grueling conditions have caught the attention of local officials. The Cagayan de Oro City Council, led by Councilor Marlon Tabac, is currently pushing the NFA to transition to a barangay-level distribution system.
- Safety Concerns: Officials expressed worry over the health of elderly residents and PWDs sleeping on the streets.
- Inconvenience: The centralized system requires residents from distant barangays to spend extra on transportation, which eat into the savings they gain from the cheaper rice.
Despite the hardship, the demand remains relentless. For residents like Eduardo Timaan, the struggle is a necessity. “If we do not have money to buy meat, fish, or vegetables, we can make a hot porridge out of it,” he shared.
The NFA’s efforts to clear aging stocks and refresh its inventory are part of a broader national strategy to maintain these subsidized price points while the country navigates a State of National Energy Emergency. As the dry season heat intensifies, the challenge for the government remains how to deliver this aid without forcing the most vulnerable to endure extreme physical conditions.