The municipal government of Calasiao, Pangasinan is among the recipients of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), and its residents will soon receive free rice assistance from the national government.

“This is a good program by our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in which the local government unit (LGU) of Calasiao is among the beneficiaries to help the vulnerable sector in our town,” Mayor Patrick Caramat said in an interview on Thursday.

He said the town will get PHP5 million for the project, which is currently in the bidding stage.

“This will be distributed to the needy in communities. It will be about 5 to 10 kilos each. Once it is downloaded here, we will roll it out,” he said.

Earlier, the Dagupan City government also distributed 10 kg. of rice to each of 50,000 families through the LGSF.

“We wholeheartedly thank the President for this program wherein thousands of Dagupeños were given food assistance and free rice,” Mayor Belen Fernandez said in Filipino on her official social media account.

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

The LGSF and the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) are key components of government efforts to strengthen support for 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.

Families in need will receive 10 kg. of rice every two months, six times a year, through the LGSF to help ensure food security for vulnerable sectors. (PNA)