Arroyo supporting SAKSAK

President Gloria Arroyo expressed support for Cebu province's SAKSAK (Sinanduloy Alang sa Kabusog, Sinanduloy Alang sa Kahimsog) initiative to combat the rice price crisis.

Under this program launched by Gov. Gwen Garcia, rice and sweet potato is mixed together in what is called Sinanduloy.

Arroyo said that Garcia shared this idea to her during their security meeting at Malacañang sa Sugbo the other night and she found it a good program considering that camote is nutritious and easy to propagate.

"It is good," Arroyo said when she tasted Sinanduloy.

"This is one case that the national government is listening to a local government unit. That instead of complaining of the high price of rice, it is our responsibility as local leaders to find ways and means to help our constituents who in the first place have put us where we are now," Garcia said.

Last month the provincial government distributed P200,000 each for its 44 towns and seven cities or a total of P10.2 million to ensure the success of the program.

At the same time, a province-wide search for the best local government unit in supporting the SAKSAK Program was launched to encourage the commitment of each local government unit.

The contest will start today and will end on November 30, this year.

"And I assure them that the prizes at stake is more than what they ever imagined," the governor said.  -Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP