Iloilo convergence push benefits over 650 Carles residents

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By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor’s signature social services program touched base in the northern town of Carles last Friday, November 28, where residents were able to receive cash assistance and to by affordable rice for their households.

More than 650 residents of Carles received ₱3,000 financial assistance and purchased ₱20-per-kilo rice under the Siguradong Pagkain, Tiyak na Galing-Kalusugan for a Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient (SiPag at Tiyaga for MoRProGRes) sa Bagong Pilipinas program on Friday, continuing its whole-of-province convergence strategy for food security, agriculture, and social support.

Defensor Jr. said the distribution demonstrates the Province’s unified approach to agricultural production, health prevention, nutrition improvement, and social welfare support.

The province integrated the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) by linking rice production under Program SERBISYO (System Enhancement for Rice to Booster, Increase and Sustain Yields Onwards), the nutrition-focused ART (Adequate food production, Rehabilitation of malnutrition, and Training and capacity building of nutrition workers) Response, and the AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) financial support program.

The distribution also featured the national Benteng Bigas program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which provides quality rice at an affordable price to qualified beneficiaries.

“This SiPag at Tiyaga supports President Bongbong Marcos’ Benteng Bigas,” Defensor said, noting that the Province’s framework strategically positions agriculture as a frontline response to health and nutrition issues.

In Carles alone, ₱2,022,000 in assistance was awarded to 674 beneficiaries from 33 mainland and island barangays.

The recipients were identified based on need, nutrition priorities, and community involvement. Priority groups included AICS beneficiaries; families with malnourished children; and workers in barangay health, day care, schools, disaster response, and public hospitals.

“You are the right beneficiaries of the provincial assistance and Benteng Bigas,” Defensor told the beneficiaries.

He also underscored the sustainability component of the Province’s agriculture-to-nutrition framework, which links hybrid rice production with milling and the continued distribution of affordable rice.

“Our rice goes back to the SiPag at Tiyaga program so we can maintain the supply of affordable rice for beneficiaries,” he added.

Since the first rollout in Ajuy, over 11,000 beneficiaries have already been reached.

Defensor said the Province will continue strengthening the convergence framework so that agriculture can support nutrition, health, and social welfare programs.