Some 1,000 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Antique province received rice assistance and livelihood grants during the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Panay Island on Friday (October 6).

President Marcos and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of 25-kilo sack of rice to each of the 4Ps beneficiaries at the Binirayan Gymnasium in the municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

“Ang pangunahing layon po ng ating biyahe ngayon ay ang mamahagi ng bigas sa mga benepisyaryo ng 4Ps,” President Marcos said in his message.

(The primary purpose of our visit here today is to distribute rice to the beneficiaries of the 4Ps.)

Aside from the 4Ps beneficiaries, the President also handed out rice and cash aid to families affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) as well as those affected by the recent Typhoon ‘Goring’.

In his short speech, the President reiterated that his administration’s top priority is food security and having an efficient supply chain, which could be realized by addressing the issues of hoarding and smuggling of rice and other agricultural products.

“Hindi lingid sa inyo na ang mga bigas na ipapamahagi ngayon ay mula sa mga smuggled rice na nakumpiska ng Bureau of Customs,” President Marcos said.

(You all are aware that the rice being distributed today is from smuggled rice seized by the Bureau of Customs.)

To date, the DSWD has distributed a total of 20,665 25-kilo bags of rice to various areas across the country, including in Capiz Gymnasium in Roxas City, Binirayan Gymnasium in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, and Augusto B. Legaspi Memorial Sports Complex in Kalibo, Aklan on Friday (Oct 6); Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Brgy. San Roque, Zamboanga City on September 19; Brgy. Santiago, General Trias, Cavite on Sept. 22; and Iriga City, Camarines Sur on Sept. 23.

President Marcos also led the distribution of sacks of rice at the San Andres Sports Complex, San Andres Manila on Sept. 26; Dapa Municipal Gymnasium in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte and in the Provincial Capitol of San Jose, Dinagat Islands on Sept. 29; and Taguig City University Gymnasium, Metro Manila on Oct. 4.

There are over 23,000 remaining bags of Jasmine rice still awaiting distribution, according to the latest count.

Five Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Associations, comprising a total of 95 members, also received seed capital funds amounting to a total of Php 1.4 million to help them establish their chosen livelihoods in cattle raising, bakery, enterprise on rice, and fishing supplies.

“Ang makikinabang po dito ay ang maliliit na negosyo na tutukuyin ng bawat SLP Association nila,” the President said.

(The ones who will benefit from these grants are the small businesses identified by each SLP Association.)

Aside from the DSWD, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its line agencies, including the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) provided assistance to its respective beneficiaries.

Present also in the provision of various government assistance are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). #