Bacolod seniors receive second round of government rice aid

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Thousands of senior citizens received the second tranche of rice assistance from the national government Friday under a program designed to help vulnerable Filipinos cope with rising food costs.

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the ceremonial distribution of 10 kilograms of rice each to 2,000 beneficiaries at the STI West Negros University Gymnasium.

She was joined by city officials led by Mayor Greg Gasataya, Bacolod Rep. and House Deputy Speaker Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, and Nanay Party-list Rep. Florabel Yatco.

The beneficiaries were Bacolod residents ages 65 and older who were not enrolled in the social pension program.

The rice assistance was distributed under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program.

Araneta-Marcos said she was happy to visit Bacolod and deliver the assistance on behalf of her husband, the president.

“Bilang isang ina, alam ko na mahalaga ang pagkain sa bawat mesa. Konting bagay lang po ito. But I hope, it could help you in the days to come,” she said.

Gasataya thanked the president for providing assistance directly to qualified beneficiaries.

He said the program was the first national government initiative of its kind to directly reach residents.

“For the first time, there’s a national government program that directly goes to the people,” Gasataya said.

The mayor said the national government’s assistance was particularly important during difficult times.

In a media interview on the sidelines of the event, Gasataya said the city was targeting 35,000 beneficiaries.

The first tranche was distributed in July, while the two remaining tranches are scheduled for October and November.

Gasataya said barangay officials would announce the schedules for the succeeding distributions.

“All are in place,” Gasataya said.

For Leonora, an 80-year-old resident of Barangay Vista Alegre, the assistance was a welcome relief that could help ease her family’s financial burden.

Judith, 67, who lives in a three-person household in Barangay Villamonte, said the 10 kilograms of rice could cover the family’s needs for about three days.

She expressed gratitude for the national government’s assistance to vulnerable sectors.

The national rice-distribution program provides each qualified beneficiary with 10 kilograms of rice in four distribution rounds during the year.