CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The government’s rice assistance is bringing relief to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Calamba City, Laguna, with beneficiaries saying the support will help stretch their household budgets and ensure that food remains available for their families.
The rice distribution forms part of the city government’s continuing efforts to provide assistance to vulnerable and priority sectors from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Among the beneficiaries was 65-year-old Marcelino Ameglio of Barangay Pansol, who said the assistance comes as a welcome support amid the challenges faced by families dealing with limited income and livelihood opportunities.
“Malaking tulong kasi sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, mahirap ang trabaho. malaking tulong talaga ang binigay ni Pangulong BBM. Dahil sa aming barangay din, hindi naman lahat ng mga PWD ay may angking yaman para suportahan. Yung mga ayudang kagaya nito malaking tulong talaga para sa kanila,” Amgelio shared during the emergency rice distribution.
He expressed hope that similar programs would continue to benefit PWDs and other vulnerable sectors.
“Ang mensahe ko lang, sana po ipagpatuloy mo, pangulong BBM, ang serbisyong totoo, tama, at para sa kapakanan ng mga mamamayan. ‘Yung sa aming punong lungsod, Mayor Ross Rizal, sa napakaraming programa ay dama ng Calambeño,” he added.
Qualified PWD beneficiaries received 20 kilograms of rice each, providing them with additional food supply that they can use for their households and intended to help beneficiaries meet their immediate food needs while allowing them to redirect a portion of their household budget toward other essential expenses such as medicines, utilities, transportation, and other daily necessities.
The distribution also reflects the administration’s efforts to bring social protection programs closer to communities and ensure that assistance reaches sectors that may be more vulnerable to economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Rachine Medina, also from Barangay Pansol, said the assistance would provide food for her family for several weeks, particularly as the prices of basic commodities continue to increase.
“Malaking tulong ito siyempre ‘di ba sa laki ng bilihin, sa mga mamahaling bigas, ito pang-ilang linggo namin kakainin, at sana masundan pa. Itong binigay ni presidente, malaking tulong ito sa amin dahil sa El Niño kaya titipirin namin ito hanggang sa aking makakaya at sana masundan pa ‘to,” Medina said.
She likewise thanked President Marcos and Mayor Rizal for extending assistance to PWDs and other sectors in the community.
The rice assistance also underscores the importance of continued coordination between the national and local governments in ensuring that social protection programs are translated into concrete support for communities. (AM/PIA CALABARZON)