BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that the city government has received the P56 million fund allocation from the national government for the implementation of the Assistance to Indigent Individuals or Families – Food Assistance/Rice Distribution project intended to provide rice subsidies to indigent families in the city.

Magalong directed the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) to expediting the grant to qualified families from the different barangays in the city.

CSWD Officer Liza Bulayungan said they will prepare the project proposal, purchase request and other documentary requirements to immediately roll out the assistance.

Magalong last February thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for including the city as beneficiary of the 2026 Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA) under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program.

He assured that the distribution of the assistance in the City will be free from political color and influence noting that in the past, similar program was controlled by influential members of Congress.

“No politics, no ‘epal’ this time.  Purely assistance from the government to those in need,” Magalong reiterated.

He also assured residents that proper guidelines will be followed to ensure fair identification of beneficiaries and accountable use of the funds.  Further details on the implementation and distribution schedule will be announced as soon as available.

The P56 million allocation for the city is part of the almost P58-billion LGSF allocation for 2026 which aims to provide direct support to needy families and communities nationwide.

The amount is downloaded straight to the local government unit in a direct and digitized manner to ensure faster implementation.(Aileen P. Refuerzo-Baguio PIO)