Residents Queue for Affordable Rice at Plaza Sugbo Amid Economic Hardships
On Monday, March 30, 2026, long lines formed at Plaza Sugbo as residents from various barangays gathered early, carrying umbrellas and registration slips. Their goal was to purchase cheap rice priced at P20 per kilogram under Cebu City's "Benteng Bigas" program. This initiative offers a temporary relief for households grappling with soaring commodity prices and diminishing incomes, rather than a permanent solution to their financial woes.
Early Morning Rush for Limited Supply
From Barangays Sto. Niño, San Roque, and Tejero, residents lined up at dawn to register and secure the limited supply of affordable rice. This rush comes as market prices for rice have skyrocketed to as high as P70 per kilogram, making the subsidized option a critical lifeline for many struggling families.
For Noel Gallado of Barangay San Roque, who relies solely on a monthly income of P10,000, the P20 rice provides only a temporary fix. He explained that the subsidized rice might last about a week and is often mixed with higher-quality rice to extend its use. "Everything is so expensive now. Just rice alone costs up to P70 per kilo. It's really tough," he shared, noting his dependence on a pension. "We have no choice but to go with the flow," he added.
Voices from the Community: Stories of Struggle
Sonia Olmoguez, also from San Roque, faces similar challenges, relying on irregular side jobs like childcare and laundry. Some days, she earns P400, but on others, she earns nothing. "We just make do with what we have. The P20 rice helps, but it's barely enough," she said, supporting a household of four.
In Barangay Duljo, Lorna Manayon lacks a stable income and depends on financial assistance. She previously sold bananas but stopped due to health issues. Now, her monthly aid of P1,000 is insufficient for her maintenance medications. "It's not enough at all. Prices keep rising, and the money often goes to paying debts," she lamented.
Cristy Dacira, a mother of six from San Roque, detailed the difficulty of budgeting on a single income. Her husband works as a security guard and driver, earning minimum wage with no work on weekends. With children in college, high school, and elementary school—one with special needs—their expenses pile up. "We can still eat three times a day, but we have to budget carefully," she stated. "I hope the government increases wages because prices keep going up," she wished.
Balbiana Diola, also from San Roque, faces greater challenges due to her large family size, underscoring the widespread impact of economic pressures on Cebu City residents.
