THE City Government of Mabalacat has issued food coupons to Mabalaqueños who were not covered as beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the national government.

The coupons worth P1,000 can be used at accredited grocery stores or supermarkets closest to place of residence of recipients.

According to Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, residents may use their food coupons to pay for "essential goods" in designated supermarkets on their scheduled market day.

Over the weekend, Garbo, along with Vice Mayor Gerald Aquino and some city councilors, led the distribution of food coupons in Barangay Paralayunan, Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Calumpang. The City Government officials appealed to their constituents to wait for their coupons.

Aside from food coupons that will be distributed to households excluded in the list of recipients of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's SAP, a 25-kilogram rice subsidy will also be given to them.

Garbo appealed to Mabalaqueños who have not yet received their rice subsidy as the second tranche assistance to give the City Government ample time as they are now distributing double time in every barangay.

Mabalacat has 33 barangays and 81,000 plus households.