P66M rice aid rolls out across Kalinga; Gov. Edduba reminds implementers all beneficiaries must receive assistance

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The rollout of more than ₱66 million worth of rice assistance is now underway across Kalinga, with Governor James S. Edduba directing concerned offices to ensure that all qualified beneficiaries receive their allocation under the national government's Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program.

The implementation of the food assistance program was among the updates presented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Kalinga during the Kapehan meeting at the Provincial Capitol on Monday, July 6.

According to the agency, a total of ₱66 million was allocated to local government units (LGUs) in the province through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF)–Financial Assistance to Local Government Units and the LGSF–Growth Equity Fund.

Of the total allocation, the Provincial Government of Kalinga received ₱17 million, while Tabuk City was allocated ₱19 million. The municipality of Tanudan received ₱10 million, while Rizal, Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, and Pinukpuk each received ₱5 million.

Distribution underway

Based on DILG-Kalinga's monitoring, Balbalan has already completed the distribution of rice assistance to more than 3,000 beneficiaries, while the distribution to about 6,000 beneficiaries in Rizal is ongoing as of reporting time.

The remaining local government units are expected to begin distributing the rice assistance in the coming days.

However, the DILG-Kalinga urged concerned offices to speed up the rollout, noting that the program was scheduled to begin in April but has yet to reach even half of its target beneficiaries in the province.

“Ito po ung one of the programs na national government na minomonitor namin. So in the province of Kalinga the present allocation as of the period is P66 million. We request po sana to offices concerned to fast-track the distribution since per advisory, we are directed to start the distribution starting the month of April, but as of now, kung makikita po natin, hindi pa po natin nakalahati," the provincial DILG representative told the Kapehan body.

Edduba: Ensure all beneficiaries receive aid

In response, Governor Edduba instructed the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), headed by Provincial Agriculturist Nancy O. Aowat, to coordinate closely with the concerned LGUs to facilitate the distribution and ensure that the remaining beneficiaries receive their rice assistance without delay.

“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 reminded the provincial agriculturist.

The Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program is a national government initiative implemented through the Local Government Support Fund to provide direct rice assistance to low-income and vulnerable Filipino families.

Under the program, each qualified beneficiary receives 10 kilograms of rice. As the rollout continues, thousands more beneficiaries across Kalinga are expected to receive their rice assistance in the coming days, helping improve food security while easing the financial burden on vulnerable households.