Thousands of vulnerable farming families in Davao del Sur have received 10-kilogram rice packs under the national government's Biyayang Bigas program, providing much-needed relief for households dependent on agriculture and limited income sources.
Distribution across 136 barangays
A total of 136 barangays across the province have benefited from the rice assistance, which is funded under the ₱77-million Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) Food Assistance Program. The distribution began on June 9 in Matanao, where 33 barangays received aid, followed by Sulop on June 10 with 25 barangays, Bansalan on June 11 with 25 barangays, Malalag on June 13 with 15 barangays, Magsaysay on June 16 with 22 barangays, and Padada on June 17 with 17 barangays.
Each participating local government unit received assistance for 2,900 beneficiaries, resulting in the distribution of 17,400 sacks of rice. The remaining four local government units — Digos, Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, and Kiblawan — are scheduled to receive their allocation when distribution resumes on June 22, 2026.
Local officials and residents express gratitude
In Magsaysay, barangay officials and residents expressed appreciation for the assistance. Angelo del Castillo, barangay captain of Lower Bala, Magsaysay, thanked the national government, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for extending help to his constituents. "Dako na kaayo ning tabang sa amoa diri, kay ako isip ilang punong barangay, nakita gyud nako kung unsa kawad-on ang mga tao diri, lipay na kaayo sila makadawat aning 10 kilos," del Castillo said, noting that farming communities face varying income levels and that the rice helps sustain daily food needs.
Nessy Montalban, a resident of Upper Bala, Magsaysay, also expressed gratitude while carrying her baby, saying, "Daghan kaayong salamat Presidente Marcos, dako na gyud kaayong tabang ning dyes kilos, daghan kaayong salamat."
First wave of a year-long program
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Head Geraldine Lano said the provincial government worked closely with MSWDO and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to identify qualified beneficiaries based on guidelines from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Lano noted that the June distribution is the first wave; each beneficiary will receive a total of 40 kilograms of rice throughout the year, distributed in four waves of 10 kilograms each.
Through the Biyayang Bigas program, the provincial government continues to assist vulnerable sectors by providing immediate food support to families across Davao del Sur.
