Quezon city: Around 1,200 beneficiaries in Barangay Do±a Imelda received rice assistance on Monday as First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led a distribution activity under the 'Mula sa Puso Para sa Pamilya' initiative. The recipients each received 10 kilos of rice during the event held at the D4 Amphitheater in Quezon City's fourth district.

According to Philippines News Agency, the First Lady emphasized the importance of helping families meet their daily food needs. "Nandito po ako bilang ina kasi alam ko, as a mother, mahalaga na magkaroon ng pagkain sa lamesa natin (I am here as a mother because I know, as a mother, it is important to have food on our table). Maski na po konting tulong lang 'to (Even if it is just a little help), I hope it goes a long way, for a few days that we can help you," she stated.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte explained that the rice distribution program is funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) released by the Office of the President to the city government. Quezon City received PHP462.9 million for the rice subsidy initiative, which also aids local farmers through direct procurement of rice.

The city government utilized the Sagip Saka Act to source rice directly from farmer cooperatives, benefiting both consumers and agricultural producers. A total of 210,455 families, or about 25 percent of all families in Quezon City, are expected to benefit from the program. Monday's activity marked the second tranche of the rice distribution initiative, with two more rounds scheduled in the coming months.