PBBM: Over 5M families to receive rice aid under 2026 LGSF

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

RICE AID. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks at the launch of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program in Malacañang on Monday (Feb. 23, 2026). At the event, the President announced that the expanded Local Government Support Fund will provide 60 kilos of rice annually to over 5 million Filipino families. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday announced the expanded Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) will provide 60 kilos of rice annually to over 5 million Filipino families, as part of the administration’s nationwide effort to address food insecurity and support vulnerable households.

Speaking at the launch of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program in Malacañang, Marcos said the rice aid is part of the PHP58-billion LGSF allocation for 2026.

“Sa usaping pagkain, mula sa LGSF, mamamahagi tayo ng 60 kilong bigas sa higit limang milyong pamilyang Pilipino. Makakatanggap ang bawat pamilya ng 10 kilong bigas sa loob ng anim na buwan kada taon (In terms of food, from the LGSF, we will distribute 60 kilos of rice to more than 5 million Filipino families. Each family will receive 10 kilos of rice for six months every year),” he said.

“Sa tulong na ito, may maihahain na sa hapag ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Mas magiging maayos ang nutrisyon ng ating mga kabataan, at kahit papaano’y gagaan ang gastusin sa araw-araw (With this, every Filipino family will now have something to put on the table. Our youth will be better nourished, and at least their daily expenses will be lighter).”

The President said the LGSF will also fund health facility upgrades, disaster preparedness initiatives, and critical infrastructure projects, including farm-to-market roads, electrification, and water supply systems.

“Makakatulong ito upang bumaba ang presyo ng mga bilihin at tumaas naman ang kita ng mga nagsasaka (This will help lower the prices of goods and increase farmers’ incomes),” the Chief Executive said, adding that the rice aid will reduce household expenses while supporting local agriculture.

Under the program, the LGSF will be directly released to local government units (LGUs) to expedite implementation of rice distribution and other priority projects. The fund’s direct transfer is designed to streamline bureaucratic processes and ensure that aid reaches beneficiaries faster and more efficiently.

The President also highlighted the importance of collaboration and coordination among LGUs and citizens to ensure that public funds are spent responsibly.

“Maisasakatuparan lamang ang ating mga hangarin kung patuloy ang ating pagkakaisa at ang ating koordinasyon (Our goals can only be achieved if our unity and coordination continue),” he said.