Mayor Raisa has Treñas has clarified that the Iloilo City Government is strictly implementing the guidelines set by the national government in the rollout of the Bigay Bigas sa Masa program amid complaints from some residents who were not included among the beneficiaries.
In an interview, Treñas said the city has no authority to alter the eligibility criteria and is merely implementing the rules prescribed for the program.
“We made sure to follow the guidelines. We have to explain the guidelines given by the national government,” the mayor said.
Treñas explained that residents already receiving other forms of government assistance, such as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, and solo parents receiving government benefits, are not qualified under the current guidelines of the rice assistance program.
The mayor acknowledged that the revised beneficiary profile has caused confusion among some residents, particularly those who saw neighbors receive assistance while they did not.
“If the demographics change, then more people can be accommodated. But if one household in a barangay receives assistance while the neighboring household does not, complaints are inevitable. We have to follow the guidelines, including the requirement that at least 25 percent of the target beneficiaries be covered,” Treñas said.
To address concerns and clarify the program’s eligibility requirements, the city government established help desks in every district to accommodate inquiries and complaints from the public.
The distribution of rice assistance under the Bigay Bigas sa Masa program began on June 29 across the city.IMT
