CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — Programs of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. aimed at addressing hunger, easing household expenses, and strengthening the country’s food security efforts continue to expand across the province of Laguna.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos Jr. highlighted the administration’s gains in providing rice assistance to priority sectors through the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). The program has been implemented in several local government units nationwide to help cushion the effects of global economic challenges.
“Sa panahon na lumiit ang kita dahil sa mataas na mga presyo, mahigit 26,000 toneladang bigas ang binigay sa mahigit 2.5 milyong pamilya. At ito’y itutuloy pa natin hanggang umabot sa 8 milyong pamilya na makikinabang,” the President said in his address.
The Chief Executive also cited the fulfillment of his campaign promise to make affordable, high-quality rice accessible to more Filipinos through the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program. The initiative has since benefited millions of consumers while supporting local farmers and fisherfolk through the KADIWA program.
“Patuloy pa rin ang programang Benteng Bigas Meron Na. Ito’y nakakapagbigay-ginhawa sa mahigit 12 milyong Pilipino sa buong bansa. Ang mahigit 800 nating KADIWA na nasa buong Pilipinas ay sabay pa ring nakakatulong sa mga mamimili, at sa mga magsasaka’t mangingisda na direktang nakakapagtinda ng kanilang mga produkto,”
In Laguna, the provincial government has partnered with the national government to further support vulnerable sectors through rice distribution activities in San Pablo City.
Around 650 registered solo parents in the city each received 30 kilograms of rice, completing the 50-kilogram rice assistance committed to them by the national government under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang rice distribution program on July 25.
The provincial government of Laguna and the city government of San Pablo jointly reaffirmed their commitment to continue working with the national government in implementing programs that directly address the needs of residents.
“Kaniyang tiniyak na patuloy na makikipagtulungan ang lokal na pamahalaan sa mga susunod pang programa at proyekto ng pambansa at panlalawigang pamahalaan. Dahil aniya ang mga programang ito ay nararapat lamang dahil ito ay mula sa buwis na binabayaran ng mga tao,” San Pablo City Acting Mayor Justin Colago said in a statement provided by the City Information Office.