To ensure that her promise to feed those less fortunate and the needy, the President has ordered the release of P100 million to beef up the government’s kitty for the acquisition of the staple.

In Capiz, Information Officer Edna Artates of the National Food Authority (NFA) said that Capiceños remain assured of sufficient supply of rice until the end of the Christmas season.

As of November 12 rice inventory in the province, government rice is posted at 18,000 bags of which 331 are imported rice, Artates said.

Commercial rice accounts to 51,278 bags while the household rice inventory was noted at 744,882 that could last for the next 118 days, she said.

According to Artates, as of November 12, the government rice is sold at P18.25 per kilogram in all the Bigasan ng Bayan and Tindahan Natin outlets, based on the advisory of the NFA Council.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo has also instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)) to contribute P100 million to help ensure that the needy throughout the nation will have access to affordable rice during this holiday season.

She told the Filipino-Chinese business group that during the Christmas season and beyond, “we will do everything in our power to bring rice to those who need it most, and work hard to protect the poor from high prices.”

Earlier last week, the President ordered the release of P1 billion to bolster the government’s food production and distribution program to mitigate hunger for the remainder of 2007.