THE Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao(MSSD-Barmm) has resumed the distribution of rice subsidies in the province of Tawi-Tawi under the Unlad Pamilyang Bangsamoro Program (UPBP).
Sharmina Julkarnain, headed of MSSD Tawi-Tawi provincial development office, said they resumed the distribution of rice subsidies on May 13 after the lifting of the election-related disbursement ban.
Julkarnain said that 148 beneficiaries from South Ubian municipality received their rice subsidy grants amounting to P7,200 each, which covers six months’ worth of assistance at P1,200 per month.
“Our office immediately resumed payouts on May 13 in South Ubian after the election ban was lifted,” Julkarnain said in a statement Monday, May 19.
She said the payouts for other island municipalities have also been scheduled. For remote areas such as Turtle Island, the MSSD has already mobilized transport to ensure timely delivery of aid.
She said they aimed to complete payouts of rice subsidies to a total of 1,843 UPBP beneficiaries across the province of Tawi-Tawi before the end of the semester in June.
The rice subsidy plays a crucial role in helping beneficiary households meet their basic food needs and support their day-to-day living.
The UPBP is a case management initiative designed to support the poorest households in Barmm. (SunStar Zamboanga)