The Ilocos Norte provincial government has started distributing rice assistance under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang (BBM) rice distribution program to 9,288 teachers and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the province.
The ongoing initiative aims to provide additional support to public school personnel, recognizing their vital role in delivering quality education while helping ease household expenses amid rising prices of basic commodities.
At the Schools Division Office of Batac, a total of 931 beneficiaries received their share of 10 kilos of rice each on Tuesday.
The provincial government, led by Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, has been leading the distribution across Ilocos Norte, ensuring that eligible teachers and non-teaching employees received the rice assistance.
During the distribution, Araneta-Marcos said DepEd personnel play essential roles in maintaining school operations and ensuring the delivery of education services to learners.
Through the rice assistance, the provincial government seeks to extend tangible support to education workers, whose dedication and service contribute to the development of communities across the province.
“This rice distribution program comes from the Office of the President. The release is timely as rice is our staple food,” she said as she thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his foresight of giving food assistance amid increasing living costs.
For his part, Gillian Karl Bolo-Sinang, teacher-in-charge of the Crispina Marcos-Valdez National High School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte said in a media interview on Wednesday: “This brings great benefit on the part of teachers because we are included as priority recipients of the BBM rice program.”
Aside from education workers, the provincial government has also distributed 10 kilos of rice each to indigent families and those from vulnerable sectors including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, farmers, fisherfolk and public transport drivers and operators.
The continuing rice distribution program has reached 37,500 beneficiaries per cycle so far, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. (PNA)
