Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has authorized a one-time grant of rice assistance for all military and uniformed personnel (MUP) in 2024, as per Administrative Order (AO) 26.

According to Philippines News Agency, AO 26, signed on November 7, stipulates that each active MUP as of November 30 will receive 25 kilograms of rice. This initiative will be sourced from local farmers participating in the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The distribution is planned from December 2024 to March 2025, coordinated by the National Food Authority (NFA) at designated warehouses.

The order encompasses various agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology, Philippine Public Safety College, Bureau of Corrections, Philippine Coast Guard, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. The administration’s decision reflects the recognition of MUPs’ critical role in m
aintaining national security and public safety.

The DA and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) advocated for this rice assistance to acknowledge MUPs’ contributions and to help them manage current socio-economic challenges. Additionally, the initiative aims to support economic opportunities for those involved in agriculture.

Funding for this program will be sourced from the contingent fund under Republic Act 11975 or the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024, ensuring adherence to applicable laws and regulations. The DA and DBM, in collaboration with the NFA, are tasked with developing the necessary guidelines for the program’s implementation within 15 days of the order’s effectivity.

AO 26, publicly released on Saturday, is effective immediately following its publication in the Official Gazette or a widely circulated newspaper.