13K Cordova beneficiaries get assistance

CEBU, Philippines — The local government of Cordova has launched a multi-sector aid program, providing rice and fuel assistance to over 13,000 beneficiaries, including transport workers, fisherfolk, senior citizens, and municipal staff, in response to rising prices of basic commodities and fuel.

Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan said that at least 4,000 transport workers including motorcab drivers, tricycle drivers, multi-cab drivers, e-bike users, boatmen, and delivery riders from services like Maxim and Grab, have already received five kilos of rice each, with distributions ongoing yesterday and today.

“With Cordova’s estimated population of 87,000 people (about 26,000 families), the aid is designed to reach all households in one way or another,” Suan said, assuring residents that assistance will continue in phases.

As president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Suan noted that several local chief executives have already reached out to learn from Cordova’s approach.

“Daghan na mayors nangutana unsaon. Pero kabalo man g’yud sila sa ilang trabaho. Nagtan-aw lang sila unsay angay sa ilang lugar kay lain-lain man ang panginahanglan,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 7 held its Kadiwa sa NIA, in celebration of National Women’s Month wherein rice is priced at just ?20 per kilo that attracted a strong turnout among costumers.

The sale, limited to 250 packs of 10 kilos each, was quickly availed by priority sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, indigent families, and farmers, who presented valid identification to claim their share.

The initiative was carried out in partnership with the National Food Authority and Food Terminal Inc., which helped facilitate and verify the distribution to ensure that the assistance reached the intended beneficiaries.

The Kadiwa also offered fresh vegetables and other agricultural products sourced from farmers in Argao and Cebu City. Through this program, NIA aims to alleviate the burden of rising food costs amid challenging times while supporting and empowering local farming communities.

In another development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 announced that the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) assistance for Typhoon Tino victims who haven’t yet claimed their aid will now be released today, April 1, in Cebu City.

In a public advisory, the agency clarified that the recipients are those listed in the final roster of ECT beneficiaries, which has already been communicated to local officials in cities, municipalities, and barangays across the region.

The payout, initially scheduled for March 31, 2026, was moved to April 1 to allow additional preparations among the DSWD, the financial service providers, and local government units. — (FREEMAN)