By Danny Estacio

 

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the distribution of free rice to 52,400 households in the city on July 21 at Lucena Convention Center.

Beneficiaries received 10 kilograms of rice through the ” Bigay Bigas sa Masa” (BBM) initiative.

President Marcos was assisted by City Mayor Mark Alcala, and local officials.

The first 4000 recipients, who belonged to vulnerable and indigent families, came from 33 barangays in the city.

The program is in collaboration with the national and city government through the City Agriculture Office in accordance with the Sagip Saka Act wherein the national government directly bought rice from the local farmers.

President said that it was sourced from the Local Government Support Fund Food Assistance Program (LGSF-FAP).

The LGSF-FAP is one of the flagship programs of his administration, which is designed to provide direct support and assistance to citizens, particularly in meeting their daily essential needs.

The Bigay Bigas sa Masa will be held every two months, Marcos said.

Also, the chief executive awarded 100 families the Certificate of Entitlement in Barangay Iyam, this city, under the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

The awarding forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to strengthen land tenure security and provide lasting housing solutions for Filipino families who have waited decades to finally secure the land they call home.

Also, the President proceeded to the Port of Lucena Passenger Terminal building in Barangay Talao-talao to inspect the new terminal; the port could accommodate up to 1000 passengers going to the provinces of Marinduque, Masbate, and Romblon.

President Marcos also handed over P20,000 checks to 165 college scholars, five from each of 33 villages.