Security forces get rice grant

ENOUGH RICE A worker arranges sacks of newly milled rice in Nueva Ecija on Nov. 2. —Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered a grant of 25 kilos of rice to military and uniformed personnel for 2024 in recognition of their contributions and to help them cope with rising costs of goods and services.

Administrative Order No. 26 said the one-time grant will be sourced from local farmers who are part of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Kadiwa ni ANI at Kita or Kadiwa program.

The President authorized the rice assistance upon the recommendation of the DA and the Department of Budget and Management.

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In AO 26 dated Nov. 7, the rice grant will be given to uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Public Safety College, Bureau of Corrections, Philippine Coast Guard and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

The military and uniformed personnel should be in active service as of Nov. 30, 2024, to qualify for the rice assistance.

The 25 kilos of rice will be distributed from December 2024 to March 2025 in designated warehouses of the National Food Authority.

The budget for the rice assistance will be charged against the contingent fund of the 2024 national budget. —Julie M. Aurelio