Sta. Ana, Pampanga – His voice might not be as loud as it once was, but his voice was felt by the hearts of the government workers who were selling rice for P20 at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in Sta. Ana Town Hall yesterday.

Kapampangan elderly Tatay Benjamin Maun who came from Barangay San Agustin of this town was already lined up at seven in the morning to avail of the “abot-kayang bigas” from the Kadiwa ng PAngulo in Sta. Ana.

Around 1,000 beneficiaries were also in line, waiting to buy 10 kilos of rice each for only P200.

“Malaking tulong ito para sa mga taong walang pambili ng bigas at mahihirap. Maraming salamat po sa Presidente po natin!” Tatay Benjamin said. He added that this will save him money as the usual price of a kilo of rice in their market is sold for P50.

The said program is due to the coordination of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo and the Provincial Government, led by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

The same was also happening in the town of Apalit, where Barangay San Juan resident Belen De Leon said, “Napakalaking tulong po na may murang bigas na mabibili. Sana po magtuloy-tuloy ito at makabili rin ang lahat.”

The said retailing of rice in the town of Apalit is also part of the P20/Kilo Rice Program under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, which is actively supported by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda.

Around 10,000 kilos rice were sold to the residents of Apalit, led by the Provincial Government, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Treasurer’s Office, Pampanga PESO, and GSO.

The President himself may not have heard their voices, but the government employees who were there surely felt their gratitude.