PBBM’s rice program reaches more towns in Dinagat Islands
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Heavy rainfall and gloomy weather in the town of Basilisa, Dinagat Islands did not stop the beneficiaries from gathering and receiving the rice assistance under President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Bagong Pilipinas rice program.
Held on July 28, each beneficiary received 10 kilos of rice funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU) through the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program.
The rice distribution was conducted at four locations in Basilisa: Barangay Roxas Port, Villa Pantinople Gymnasium, Sto. Niño Gymnasium, and Barangay Roma Gymnasium.
According to Jimmy Jara, news production unit head of the Dinagat Islands Provincial Information Office, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) was used to identify the beneficiaries of the program. “The beneficiaries belong to the poorest of the poor, including senior citizens, farmers, fisherfolk, persons with disabilities, single parents, and other members of the vulnerable sectors of the community.”
Also, in the town of Libjo, the rice distribution happened on July 29 at the municipal megagymnasium, where each beneficiary from the vulnerable sector received their 10-kilo rice bags from the Office of the President.
Florita Gonzaga from Purok 3, Barangay Doña Helen, Libjo expressed sincere happiness while receiving her sack of rice. “Thank you, PBBM, for bringing food to our table. This is a blessing to my family.”
The program implementation was made possible through the efforts of the provincial government of Dinagat Islands under the leadership of Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr., which ensures national government programs are brought closer to communities and island-barangays.
Meanwhile, the provincial government announced that those beneficiaries who failed to claim their sacks of rice during the distribution on July 27 may visit the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office at the Capitol compound in Barangay Cuarinta, San Jose from August 3-5, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The claimants must bring their valid ID, while representatives need to present an authorization letter from the beneficiary. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from Dinagat Islands PIO)
