The city government is expediting the release of food subsidy to indigents using the PHP56 million grant from the national government.

“I have directed the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) to prepare the project proposal and the purchase request and other documentary requirements to immediately roll out the assistance,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in a statement on Wednesday.

The city is among the beneficiaries of the national government’s 2026 Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA) under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program.

He said that the distribution of the assistance in the city will be free from political color and influence.

“No politics, no ‘epal’ this time. Purely assistance from the government to those in need,” the mayor said.

The mayor also assured residents that clear guidelines will be strictly followed to ensure the fair identification of beneficiaries and the proper use of government funds.

The PHP56 million allocation for the city is part of the almost PHP58-billion LGSF allocation for 2026, which aims to provide direct support to needy families and communities nationwide.

The amount is downloaded to the local government unit in a direct and digitized manner to ensure faster implementation. (PNA)