Leonardo Micua
This is good news for indigent individuals and families in Dagupan who are not beneficiaries of the P20-Kilo Rice Project as they are not part of vulnerable groups such as solo parents, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, farmers/fisherfolk, 4Ps, and TODAs.
Malacanang has allocated a P27 million grant to Dagupan City after it was chosen as a recipient of the Local Government Support Fund—Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU).
This funding will support the Food Assistance/Rice Distribution Project, known as “Bigay Bigas sa Masa”, aimed at aiding indigent people.
This was confirmed by a resolution passed during the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s regular session on April 6, which approved a Supplemental Annual Investment Program (SAIP) of P27 million for the rice distribution effort.
The Rice Distribution Project or “Bigay Bigas sa Masa” is a nationwide initiative by the national government designed to provide food subsidies to indigent local families during the current crisis. This crisis is intensified by the rapid rise in prices of basic commodities, caused by over a month of conflict in the Middle East.
The resolution, jointly proposed by Councilors Michael Fernandez and Jeslito Seen, acknowledged a Letter of Urgency from Mayor Belen Fernandez dated April 6, 2026. The letter requested the approval of this resolution, which was previously endorsed in Resolution No. 1, Series of 2026, by the Local Development Council.
“Bigay Bigas sa Masa” is a nationwide project funded through the Local Government Support Fund—Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU) as part of the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod noted that the P27 million financial aid was already transferred to Dagupan City as a Trust Fund, via a Notice of Authority to Debit Account Issued (NADAI) from the Bureau of Treasury.
This transfer is contingent on the approval of the SAIP by the local legislative body, which is necessary before the funds can be used.