KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato will begin the second phase of its Rice Distribution Program in August, extending additional food assistance to the same beneficiaries who received rice subsidies during the program’s initial rollout in June.
Barangay Affairs Unit (BAU) Program Assistant Jan Edzel Isales said the second phase will prioritize the almost 48,000 beneficiaries who received assistance during the first phase of the program.
“We will continue the distribution in August as the second phase of the program. The same beneficiaries who received their rice assistance in June will again be prioritized to ensure continuity of support for their families,” Isales said.
Implemented through the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWDO) in partnership with the BAU, the program aims to sustain support for economically disadvantaged families identified through community-based assessments conducted by BAU community organizers.
Each beneficiary will continue to receive 10 kilos of rice as part of the provincial government’s effort to help ease the daily burden of families facing economic challenges.
Isales added that the program remains focused on reaching households that need additional food assistance and complementing existing government interventions.
Meanwhile, Dennis C. Dignadice, Barangay Affairs Chief, said the continuation of the program reflects the provincial government’s commitment to providing responsive social services.
“The Rice Distribution Program is one of our initiatives to extend immediate assistance to vulnerable families. Through this partnership with OPSWDO, we are able to identify beneficiaries and deliver support directly to communities,” Dignadice emphasized.
A beneficiary from the City of Koronadal, Mary Ann Pagdato, expressed appreciation for the continued assistance, saying that the rice subsidy provides additional relief for their household.
“Daku gid ini nga bulig sa amon pamilya kay nakabulig ini para mahaganhaganan ang amon gasto sa pagkaon. Salamat gid sa Probinsyal nga Gobyerno sa padayon nga pagsuporta sa amon,” Pagdato shared.
The first phase of the Rice Distribution Program was conducted on June 15 to 17, covering all districts of South Cotabato, including Polomolok, Tupi, Tampakan, Tantangan, Banga, Koronadal City, Sto. Niño, Surallah, Norala, Lake Sebu, and T’boli.
The provincial government assured the public that coordination among concerned offices and local partners will continue to ensure the smooth implementation of the second phase of the program in August.
