San remigio: About 6,000 indigent households in San Remigio, Antique are set to receive 10 kg of rice each under the Bigay Bigas sa Masa (BBM) Rice Program, Mayor Margarito Mission Jr. announced Thursday. The initiative aims to provide immediate relief to those not covered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development's existing programs.
According to Philippines News Agency, the distribution kicked off on Tuesday, beginning with 275 beneficiaries from Barangays Maragubdub and Vilvar who received the initial batches of rice. The beneficiaries were carefully selected from households that are not included in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the Walang Gutom Program.
The rice distribution is backed by a PHP5 million allocation from the Local Government Support Fund. This funding is part of the Office of the President's Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang initiative, which seeks to extend assistance nationwide.
Mayor Mission highlighted the timeliness of the distribution, noting that July is typically a lean month, and many households are still awaiting their harvest. He also mentioned that the municipality is expecting another PHP5 million from the same program, earmarked for an infrastructure project.
Under the initiative, participating municipalities can receive up to PHP10 million in funding, with half dedicated to rice assistance and the other half for a priority infrastructure project. San Remigio has identified the construction of an air-conditioned multipurpose center beside the municipal hall as its priority. The planned facility will accommodate up to 500 people and serve as a venue for conferences and other community events.
