Gov. Edduba orders faster rollout of ₱17M rice aid; distribution reaches Tanudan

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Governor James S. Edduba has ordered the immediate acceleration of the distribution of the province's ₱17-million rice assistance under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program to ensure that qualified beneficiaries receive the aid without further delay.

Following the governor's directive, the Provincial Government of Kalinga, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), has intensified the rollout of the rice assistance, with the latest distribution conducted in the municipality of Tanudan on July 17.

Edduba announced during a Management Committee (MANCOM) meeting earlier last week that Kalinga had secured ₱17 million from the national government through the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program.

The funding, provided under the Fiscal Year 2026 Local Government Support Fund–Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA), is intended to help address the province's food security needs by providing rice assistance to low-income and vulnerable Filipino families.

On July 6, a representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Kalinga, during the Provincial Government's Kapehan meeting,  urged implementing offices to fast-track the distribution, noting that the program was supposed to begin in April but had yet to reach even half of its intended beneficiaries.

"We request po sana to offices concerned to fast-track the distribution since, per advisory, we were directed to start the distribution in April. But as of now, kung makikita po natin, hindi pa po natin nakalahati," the provincial DILG representative said.

In response, Governor Edduba immediately directed the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, headed by Provincial Agriculturist Nancy O. Aowat, to closely coordinate with local government units and expedite the distribution of the rice assistance.

"Anya ngay iman ti ububraen yo. Apay nga haan yo pay inrugi agdistribute? Kitan yo ta maikkan amin dagita beneficiaries ti distribution. Show to the public and observers tapno makita da papanan na dagita nga tulong ti gobyerno," Edduba told Aowat.

Following the governor's instruction, OPAG accelerated the implementation of the program. On July 17, a total of 1,065 beneficiaries in Tanudan each received a 10-kilogram bag of rice.

Distribution in the remaining municipalities and the lone city of Kalinga is ongoing, with OPAG continuing to coordinate with local government units to ensure that all qualified beneficiaries receive the assistance within the program's implementation period.

Governor Edduba emphasized that the accelerated rollout reflects the Provincial Government's commitment to delivering government assistance promptly, especially to families struggling with the continuing increase in food prices.

He stressed that government aid serves its purpose only when it reaches the people who need it most, as quickly as possible.