The Dagupan City government is distributing 10 kilos of rice each to 50,000 families through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

Mayor Belen Fernandez, in her official social media account on Thursday, said 10,000 beneficiaries are receiving the free rice daily since the distribution started on Wednesday.

Besides the free rice, the local government also provided additional grocery items such as canned goods and noodles.

“Taos pusong pasasalamat po natin kay President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa programang ito kung saan libu libong Dagupeño ang nabigyan ng food assistance at libreng bigas (We wholeheartedly thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for this program wherein thousands of Dagupeños were given food assistance and free rice),” she said.

The LGSF and the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) are key components of the government’s efforts to strengthen support for local government units (LGUs) and communities.

The LGSF provides financial assistance to LGUs to support priority development programs and projects, while the SCPF funds community-level initiatives, including education support.

Marcos, during the launch of the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang initiative in Las Piñas City on Wednesday, underscored the importance of empowering LGUs, noting that devolving funds to the LGUs facilitate faster and more efficient service delivery.

The President said local officials are in a better position to identify beneficiaries and implement programs, compared to centralized processes that often take longer due to bureaucratic requirements.

Families in need will receive 10 kilos of rice every two months, six times a year, through the LGSF to help ensure food security among vulnerable sectors.

The city government also sells up to 30 kilos of PHP20 per kilo rice under the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! program to vulnerable sectors such as farmers, fisherfolk, tricycle drivers, solo parents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. (PNA)