Dinagat islands: The provincial government of Dinagat Islands commenced its rice assistance program, benefiting residents in San Jose during a distribution activity on Monday. This initiative coincided with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s delivery of the fifth State of the Nation Address.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Provincial Information Office reported on Tuesday that 2,089 residents in San Jose each received 10 kilos of rice. The distribution was conducted in a one-day event led by Anthony Demerey, representing Governor Nilo Demerey Jr.

The rice assistance initiative is part of the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU), a program under the Local Government Support Fund of the national government. The distribution of free rice is slated to continue in the towns of Basilisa and Libjo on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Demerey conveyed that the FALGU-LGSF program enables vulnerable households, including senior citizens, fisherfolk, farmers, drivers, and low-income families, to access staple food free of charge. This program aims to ensure food security, equity, and inclusion, focusing on prioritizing vulnerable groups to enhance social protection.

The rice assistance program under the FALGU-LGSF is scheduled to operate every two months in the province. Demerey emphasized that initiatives like FALGU under the LGSF reflect the government's commitment to supporting local government units.