KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, through the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWDO) in partnership with the Barangay Affairs Unit (BAU), continues to secure food to 48, 360 through its Rice Distribution Program aimed at assisting economically disadvantaged families across the province.
The rice distribution program benefited impoverished families identified through community-based assessments conducted by BAU community organizers. Every individual received 10-kilo of rice.
According to Jan Edzel Isales, BAU Program Assistant, the program was carefully designed to complement existing government interventions and reach families who are not currently receiving assistance from other social welfare programs.
“We want to ensure that government assistance reaches those who are most in need. This rice distribution serves as additional support for families facing economic challenges and helps ease their daily burden,” Isales emphasized.
Among those prioritized were households of Reinforced Services Taskforce (RST) members and health navigators who are facing financial challenges and those families who are identified additional food support.
To maximize the impact of the program, beneficiaries who are already enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and the Walang Gutom Program were excluded from the distribution, allowing more underserved households to receive assistance.
The rice distribution was rolled out in three phases, covering all districts of South Cotabato. The first phase was conducted on June 15 in Polomolok, Tupi, and Tampakan. On June 16, assistance reached beneficiaries in Tantangan, Banga, and the City of Koronadal. The final phase was completed on June 17 in Sto. Niño, Surallah, Norala, Lake Sebu, and T’boli.
“This collaboration between OPSWDO and BAU reflects the provincial government’s commitment to responsive and inclusive social services. By working closely with communities, we can better identify those who need assistance and ensure that help reaches them promptly,” Isales added.
The initiative highlights the Provincial Government’s continuing commitment to improving the welfare of South Cotabateños and ensuring that no family is left behind in times of need.
