Villar wants food subsidy institutionalized

While some senators are frowning upon Malacañang’s food subsidy program to help the poor cope with rising prices, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. goes against the tide and instead wants the food subsidy program institutionalized by providing a monthly food allowance to the head of the family with a low income.

Under Villar’s proposal or Senate Bill 2628, beneficiaries will be issued a food subsidy card instead of cash, by the Land Bank of the Philippines on the first week of each month.

The food subsidy card equivalent to P700 cash allowance may not be withdrawn but may be used for “purposes of electronic payments to the duly-accredited retail establishments.”

The bill proposes to establish a list of registered retail establishments that will provide for the needs of the entitled individuals under the food subsidy program.

Within three years from the effectivity of the proposed law, there should be at least one duly-accredited retail establishment in every barangay in the Philippines.

The duly-accredited retail establishments will provide the beneficiaries the following: agricultural produce; dairy products; processed food; noodles; and others provided they are sourced throughout the Philippines by the seller and if possible, within the same barangay, province, city or municipality to provide economic and livelihood opportunities within the community.

The National Food Authority (NFA) will be the administrator of the food subsidy program under the proposed law. Proceeds from the food subsidy program will come from the value added tax collections.

The following are qualified to receive a P700 cash allowance equivalent of a food subsidy card from the government every month: head of the family earning less than P120,000 annually,  exclusive of bonuses, overtime pay, holiday pay, night-shift differential; an individual who is gainfully employed but who is earning less than P100,000 annually, exclusive of bonuses,  overtime pay, holiday pay, and night-shift differential; a married couple who earns not more P200,000 annually who has custody of  not more than three children, and not more than four children and parents combined. Provided, that in all the above enumerated instances, the total income of the household, both active and passive, shall not exceed the amounts as stated.

By head of the family, this means an individual who is married or is legally separated, or whose marriage has been annulled and who has a child or children in his or her custody; or whose parents are living with him and are dependent on him chiefly for support, regardless of the age of the parents. – Aurea Calica