• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Over 8,900 senior citizens in Bacolod City have received 10 kilograms of rice each in the initial rollout of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” rice distribution program.
The ongoing program has already benefited 8,942 seniors across six barangays.
The first batch of beneficiaries July 9 included 456 in Brgy. Cabug and 1,256 in Sum-ag.
On July 10, the city said 273 beneficiaries from Alangilan and 1,557 from Banago received the assistance.
An additional 5,400 senior citizens from barangays Taculing and Granada received their rice assistance July 11.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said they aim to distribute rice to around 40,000 unpensioned senior citizens across 61 barangays of Bacolod City before the first tranche concludes.
“We started distributing the 10-kilo rice to our seniors, who are 65 years old and above, and not receiving social pensions, both from the local and national governments. This is continuous and will be in four tranches as part of the program of President Marcos Jr.,” Gasataya said.
Secretary to the mayor, Atty. Jose Marty Go, said the city targets to complete the rollout by November.
Meanwhile, the city’s newly-opened Senior Citizen Center already served 681 clients from June 29 to July 3. | TMD
