BOTOLAN, Zambales — More Zambaleño families benefited from the rice-subsidy project of Zambales Second District Representative Doris ‘Bing” Maniquiz since it made a comeback in the province late last month.

The project, which was initiated by Maniquiz in 2014 when she was Botolan municipal mayor, sought to provide affordable rice to low-income families during rainy months when rice supply was less available and more expensive.

The project was replicated in the eight towns comprising the Second District after Maniquiz was elected congresswoman of Zambales in 2022, and with the assistance of Tingog Partylist.

Recently, the subsidized rice project again began making the rounds of municipalities, starting in this town on July 23, in Masinloc on July 25; Botolan and Cabangan, July 26; Palauig, July 27; and Sta. Cruz, July 30 and 31.

This month, more residents got the chance to buy rice at only P20 per kilo, with a maximum allocation of 10 kilos per family. Project distribution on Aug. 2 benefited 14,079 families in San Antonio, and on Aug. 3, some 19,068 families in Masinloc.

The project continued to other towns next: San Antonio on Aug. 5, and Iba on Aug. 9.

Maniquiz’s project is expected to complement the government’s “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program, which President Marcos has ordered for implementation nationwide last May 15. – Henry Empeño