MAMBAJAO, Camiguin — More than 5,000 residents of Mambajao received 10-kilogram bags of rice on Monday as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the second round of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, providing food assistance aimed at easing household expenses.
A total of 5,096 beneficiaries received the rice assistance, funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
Under the program, qualified households are set to receive a 10-kilogram sack of rice every two months, or six times a year.
Marcos said the government is committed to sustaining the rice distribution while allowing local government units (LGUs) to decide how to use the remaining LGSF based on the needs of their communities.
He said LGUs are in the best position to identify priority beneficiaries and implement projects that directly respond to local concerns under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program.
For many recipients, the rice assistance means more money for other essential family needs.
Caridad Tan of Barangay Yumbing said the savings from not buying rice will help her family purchase food, maintenance medicines for her husband, and support the schooling of their Grade 12 child.
Joy Gultiano, whose family depends on income from coconut harvesting, said the assistance eases the burden of buying rice, allowing them to spend more on medicines and other daily necessities.
Lida Gamao, 72, also of Barangay Yumbing, said the rice aid will help her daughter's family by freeing up money to buy food for her grandchildren.
Meanwhile, Nemia Cabaro, a mother of five, said the savings from the rice assistance can now be used for her children's school allowance and other household expenses.
The Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program is part of the national government's effort to help vulnerable families cope with rising living costs by reducing their food expenses through regular rice assistance distributed in partnership with LGUs. (BEN BALCE, Editorial Lead)
