Iloilo: The Iloilo provincial government is set to launch its PHP20-per-kilo rice program on Wednesday, aimed at providing affordable rice to families with undernourished children. Provincial Agriculturist Office officer-in-charge Felina Grace Basco announced that the distribution of rice stocks to local government units (LGUs) will run throughout November, starting with the municipalities of Ajuy, Lemery, San Dionisio, and Concepcion on Nov. 12.
According to Philippines News Agency, the rice distribution will coincide with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) payout for individuals in crisis, ensuring they have funds to buy the low-cost rice. A total of 1,141 sacks of rice were already released from the National Food Authority warehouse last week for the initial rollout. “Our beneficiaries are the undernourished, those identified by our provincial health office to belong to the undernourished,” Basco said in an interview.
The implementation of the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na! in Iloilo is integrated under the SiPag at TiyaGa (Siguradong Pagkain, Tiyak na Galing-Kalusugan) for MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas, a convergence program designed to strengthen the agriculture sector while addressing malnutrition in the province. Under the program, 20,000 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, were purchased from the Food Terminal, Inc. for distribution to 43 LGUs across the province.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Wendel Marcelo stated that 7,738 families with validated malnourished children will benefit from the program, with each family allowed to buy up to 30 kilograms of rice.
