Another round of the rice distribution initiative is expected to benefit more low-income households in the province, with around PHP68 million ready to be downloaded from the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

Engr. Pedro Agcaoili, head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, reported this on Monday during a management committee meeting attended by various department heads at the Provincial Capitol.

“Last June 3, we received a notice of funding availability from the national treasury for another round of rice distribution for our constituents,” Agcaoili said.

The rice distribution project under the LGSF-Financial Assistance to LGUs was initiated by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

It aims to provide rice assistance to indigent individuals and families through local government units (LGUs) to address food insecurity and support vulnerable households.

Under the guidelines, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office must prepare a list of eligible beneficiaries, excluding those who have previously received rice subsidies from provincial, city, and municipal governments, to ensure that other needy households benefit from the rice aid.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Agriculture Office has been reminded to provide the list of eligible rice suppliers and to have members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan enact an ordinance supporting the national government’s rice distribution program.

Last month, more than 37,000 indigent families in the province received 10 kilograms of rice each during the initial rollout of the national rice assistance program. (PNA)