Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that the expanded Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) will annually provide 60 kilos of rice to over 5 million Filipino families. This initiative is a part of the administration's broader effort to tackle food insecurity and support vulnerable households across the nation.

According to Philippines News Agency, the rice aid is incorporated within the PHP58-billion LGSF allocation for 2026. Marcos, speaking at the 'Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang' program launch in Malaca±ang, emphasized that each family will receive 10 kilos of rice every six months. He highlighted how this would ensure every Filipino family has food on the table, improve the nutrition of children, and alleviate daily expenses.

The President further outlined that the LGSF would also support essential projects such as health facility upgrades, disaster preparedness, and infrastructure development, including farm-to-market roads, electrification, and water supply systems. This is expected to reduce the prices of goods and enhance farmers' incomes, thereby supporting local agriculture.

The program plans to directly release the LGSF to local government units (LGUs) to facilitate quicker implementation of rice distribution and other priority projects. This direct transfer aims to streamline bureaucratic processes to ensure aid reaches beneficiaries swiftly and efficiently.

Marcos also stressed the necessity of collaboration and coordination among LGUs and citizens to ensure responsible spending of public funds. He emphasized that achieving national goals requires sustained unity and coordination.