The Iloilo City Government officially launched the Bigay Bigas sa Masa Rice Program today, June 29, at La Paz Plaza, making Iloilo City among the first local government units in Western Visayas to roll out the national government’s rice assistance initiative.
The program will benefit 41,958 Ilonggo households from various sectors across the city, with each qualified beneficiary receiving 10 kilograms of rice in three tranches scheduled for June, August, and October.
Mayor Raisa S. Treñas thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the national government for the program, noting that Iloilo City received P72 million to implement the initiative.
“Ini isa naman ka konkreto nga manifestation sang commitment sang national government kag sang Iloilo City Government nga makapahagan-hagan sang kabug-aton nga gina-atubang sang aton mga pamilya,” the mayor said.
Treñas explained that the allocation provided to each local government unit was based on population, allowing Iloilo City to extend assistance to a significant number of beneficiaries.
She also assured that all barangays in the city have identified qualified recipients through a validation process conducted by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in accordance with the program’s guidelines.
“Ini nga programa nagapakita nga kon nagabinuligay ang national government kag local government, mas madasig naton mahatag ang kinahanglanon nga suporta sa aton mga pumuluyo,” she added.
Recognizing the continuing importance of food security, Treñas announced that the Iloilo City Government has allocated additional funds to provide a fourth tranche of rice assistance in December, beyond the three distributions funded by the national government.
She also expressed her intention, together with the City Council, to extend additional rice and grocery assistance to beneficiaries during the Christmas season.
The city mayor emphasized that the local government remains committed to protecting the purchasing power of Ilonggo families and ensuring that no resident is left behind amid continuing economic challenges.
The Bigay Bigas sa Masa Rice Program forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to strengthen food security and provide relief to vulnerable households through sustained collaboration between the national and local governments.
