Bukidnon Residents Receive Aid from President Marcos Jr.’s CARD Program

Bukidnon – In a significant move to assist the underprivileged, at least 3,000 residents in Bukidnon received rice and financial aid through the launch of the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) program on Saturday. The initiative, responding to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, aims to support poor and vulnerable families amidst the global inflation and rising prices of basic commodities.

According to Philippines News Agency, the program was launched to provide immediate relief to those affected by the economic challenges exacerbated by tensions in the Middle East.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, representing President Marcos, addressed the challenges faced in reducing rice prices in the Philippines and emphasized the government’s efforts to alleviate the burden on citizens. The CARD program, conceptualized in collaboration with the DSWD, led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, offers each beneficiary, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and indigenous peoples, at least PHP2,000 worth of aid, comprising a 25-kilogram sack of rice and PHP 1,000 in cash. The DSWD will identify 10,000 beneficiaries in each legislative district, ultimately reaching 2.5 million indigent and vulnerable Filipinos across the country. Previously launched in Metro Manila, covering all 33 legislative districts, the program has already benefited thousands in cities like Biñan and Santa Rosa in Laguna province. Speaker Romualdez affirmed that, like President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Program (BPSF), CARD aims to go nationwide, targeting constituents in 250 congressional districts. The launch in Bukidnon coincided with the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, expected to provide substantial cash assistance and government services to approximately 110,000 beneficiaries until Sunday.