The local government launched the “Bigay Bigas sa Masa” rice program, targeting 41,958 beneficiaries here on Monday.

Mayor Raisa Treñas said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. downloaded the initiative in cities and provinces to help their constituents.

Under the program, qualified beneficiaries can receive 30 kilos in three tranches.

“Probably in Region 6 (Western Visayas), we are among the first to start with the rice distribution program. For this year, we will be giving out three tranches,” Treñas said in her message.

The second tranche will be released on Aug. 29, and the third tranche on Oct. 29.

Treñas said the city government will release another tranche in December -providing rice and groceries to beneficiaries– and is eyeing to sustain the program next year.

The launch initially benefitted 1,030 recipients from neighboring barangays in La Paz.

The distribution in other barangays and succeeding tranches will be delivered to the houses of the recipients.

Its implementation was funded by PHP72 million through the Local Government Support Fund, and the beneficiaries were identified by the City Social Welfare and Development Office based on the guidelines provided by the national government.

One of the beneficiaries, Mae Jover, 63, from Barangay Divinagracia, said the 10-kilo rice would mean savings in their budget for the week.

“Thank you very much, President Marcos, for the rice,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Elma De Asis, 58, was also thankful for the program, which also benefited her fellow residents in Barangay Lopez Jaena Norte.

“Probably it can last for a week. This is already a big help,” she said. (PNA)