Local leaders in Iloilo province have expressed appreciation for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s programs and assistance aimed at addressing the needs of Ilonggo communities, including rice distribution, education initiatives, and village development projects.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said Iloilo continues to receive priority from the national government for programs and major infrastructure projects.

“I have been telling our people here in the province that they are being prioritized by the President in terms of programs and major projects that are needed in the province. In fact, ginahatagan kita sang priority (we are given priority),” Defensor said during the rollout of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Distribution program in Pavia on Tuesday, Aug. 25, with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto attending the event.

Defensor said the provincial government is also procuring rice from farmers’ cooperatives using P299 million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

The rice distribution program targets 83,000 families in the province. Defensor said it will be integrated into the province’s nutrition program to prevent duplication of beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Liga ng mga Barangay Iloilo president Amalia Dubuque expressed gratitude to Marcos and Recto for assistance extended to communities and programs supporting students.

Dubuque said the national government assistance through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) is benefiting all 1,721 barangays in Iloilo.

“This is the very first time a sitting president has extended this kind of direct national government assistance to every barangay without exception. In Iloilo, that means all 1,721 barangays, not some, not most, but every single barangay. Ito po ang tunay na diwa ng Bawat Barangay Makikinabang,” she said during the orientation of presidential scholars and the release of SCPF at the Iloilo Convention Center.

The provincial government received P344.2 million for distribution to the 1,721 barangays.

The SCPF also supports 8,605 scholars in Iloilo.

Recto said government assistance extends beyond rice distribution to education, health, agriculture, and other basic services.

Iloilo is expected to receive about P29.2 billion in national tax allocation in 2027, he said.

The allocation will support projects such as farm-to-market roads, modern barangay health centers, free medicines, irrigation and agricultural equipment, as well as faster delivery of government services, Recto said.

An additional Local Government Support Fund will also finance the free rice program and help ensure its sustainability.PNA