Tunis:Negros Occidental The provincial government of Negros Occidental has commenced the distribution of PHP170.99 million worth of rice assistance targeted at poor and near-poor households. This initiative is part of the Local Government Support Fund - Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA) provided by the national government.

According to Philippines News Agency, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II mentioned that the rice distribution has reached areas such as Don Salvador Benedicto and Pontevedra, following its initial rollout in Candoni and Murcia. The distribution program is led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who emphasizes the importance of availing national programs and ensuring their proper implementation.

The province has procured 251,470 sacks of rice, each weighing 10 kilograms, intended for 125,735 beneficiary households across 19 municipalities and 12 cities. This effort falls under the Assistance to Indigent Individuals or Families-Food Assistance Rice Distribution Project. Each household is scheduled to receive a 10-kilogram rice allocation in the third and fourth quarters of this year.

Initial distribution figures indicate that Murcia has 3,553 beneficiary households, Candoni has 1,797, Don Salvador Benedicto has 3,046, and Pontevedra has 1,330. The beneficiary list is derived from the Philippine Statistics Authority's Community-Based Monitoring System.

Diaz assured that all cities and municipalities would receive an equitable portion of the food assistance, as per the distribution schedules submitted by their respective mayors. He highlighted the collaboration with local government units to ensure the aid reaches its intended recipients, ensuring no low-income family is left behind. Diaz expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for enabling Negros Occidental's participation in the program.