Photo courtesy of Philippine Information Agency.
Following a directive from President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to all local government units (LGUs) to help assuage the impact of rising oil prices, cities and towns across the country will begin distributing free rice to their respective constituents beginning this April.
The distribution of free rice will be conducted through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) as part of the Marcos administration’s efforts to help the citizenry cushion the impact of the global crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a press conference in Malacañan Palace, the chief executive announced that the LGUs would launch the rice program under the expanded LGSF “within the next week or two.”
He added that the funds allocated for the rollout would be released to local governments so they can provide assistance faster.
“Each LGU would provide at least 50 percent of the LGSF funds for the purchase and distribution of rice to their constituents. They can use 100 percent of the fund for the rice distribution but it is up to them. However, it is necessary that at least 50 percent of the funds they receive must be used to purchase and distribute rice,” Mr. Marcos clarified.
Under the expanded LGSF, more than five million Filipino families will receive 60 kilos of rice annually or 10 kilos of rice for six months every year.
The President likewise announced that the LGSF would also fund health facility upgrades, disaster preparedness initiatives and critical infrastructure projects, including farm-to-market roads, electrification, and water supply systems.
“This will help lower the prices of goods and increase farmers’ incomes,” Mr. Marcos said to express the government’s commitment that “no one will be left behind” Amidst the crisis through the rice aid that aims to reduce household expenses while supporting local agriculture.
Under this year’s General Appropriations Act, the administration has allocated the largest LGSF in the country’s history at ₱57.872 billion, an increase of ₱34.87 billion. This includes the Financial Assistance to LGUs amounting to ₱37.492 billion, the Growth Equity Fund totaling ₱11.3 billion, the Support to the Barangay Development Program amounting to ₱8.09 billion and the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting totaling ₱1 billion.