By Iryll Sicnao

TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — The Balbalan local government has distributed 25 kilograms of rice each to 3,030 indigent families under the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to Local Government (LGSF-FALGU) initiative of the Office of the President.

The rice assistance has reached all 14 barangays in the municipality, providing relief and improving food security for beneficiaries experiencing lean harvests this year.

The Balbalan local government said it distributed the rice aid in a single release instead of the 10-kilogram-per-month scheme to make the process easier for beneficiaries in far-flung communities. 

“This arrangement takes into consideration the geographical location of remote sitios and barangays, where some beneficiaries need to hike for several hours to reach the distribution sites. It will also reduce the time, effort, and resources required for the LGU to conduct monthly distributions in far-flung communities,” it stated. 

The local government carried out the distribution from June 25 to 28, 2026, with the help of barangay officials and employees, uniformed personnel and their auxiliary units, and community volunteers. 

Among those who received their 25-kilogram rice assistance on Saturday were Leonora Agcaoili and Cresencio Gunnay from Sitio Gawaan Proper, who said the supply is a big help to their families.

“Dakkel a ti naitulong na para kadagiyay bassit ti naapit na ken dagiyay haan nga nagtalon. Less ti gastos da ta gumatang da pay ti bagas. Adda ti apapiten mi ngem haan nga umanay,” Agcaoili said. 

[This is a big help, especially for those who have a lean harvest or have not farmed at all.

They will have to buy rice. We  have a harvest, but it’s not enough.] 

She said the money saved is for the students’ allowance.

“Isu ti kasapulan mi dituy,” Gunnay said of the rice assistance. He shared that he did not work the field this time because of his age. He lives with his wife and a centenarian relative.

“Napintas nga programa dayta ta adda dagiyay talaga nga agkasapulan nga natulungan. Uray dagiyay mabalin nga umanay ti apit da ket kasla nga supusup metlang daytoy naited kanyada. Kanayun kuma nga ada ti kastoy ta dakkel nga katulungan mi nga mannalon dituy,” Gunnay said.

[This is a good program because there are really those who are in need. Even those who may have enough harvest may need this. May there be more of this  because this is a big help to the farmers.]

Based on data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Kalinga, a total of P66 million is allocated to local government units (LGUs) in the province for rice assistance, with the municipality of Balbalan receiving P5 million of the grant. The program is at various stages of implementation by the LGUs.

With the LGSF-FALGU, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to ease the economic burden on households amid high petroleum prices. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

Published Date: July 2, 2026