THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it has distributed P4.3 billion worth of assistance and services to 542,000 beneficiaries across 269 local government units under the Handog ng Pangulo program.
Launched in 2024 under the theme “Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat,” Handog ng Pangulo coordinates national agencies and local governments to bring public services and assistance closer to communities.
The assistance covered the rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and fisheries sectors. Support was also provided through Kadiwa ng Pangulo and the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo program.
The package included the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” initiative, which sells rice at P20 per kilogram to vulnerable sectors. The rice comes from National Food Authority stocks procured from local farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the assistance was intended to help farmers raise production, increase their income, and build more secure livelihoods.
The P4.3-billion package consolidated several existing DA programs into a nationwide initiative, providing farmers, fisherfolk and other rural beneficiaries with farm inputs, production support, market access and livelihood assistance.
The distribution formed part of Handog ng Pangulo 2026, which culminated on Sept. 14 as part of activities marking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 69th birthday.