500 Tacloban Families Get Rice Aid Amid Rising Prices

• 500 low-income families in Tacloban City receive rice aid from the national government as rising food and fuel prices from the energy crisis hit households.

Marky Bañez 1 day ago 1.4 K

Posted on May 5, 2026 at 6:30 am

TACLOBAN CITY — A total of 500 low-income families in Tacloban City are currently receiving immediate relief through the rice assistance program of the national government, as households continue to face challenges due to the impact of increasing food and fuel prices caused by the ongoing energy crisis.

The distribution involves providing 10 kilograms of quality rice per beneficiary and aims to assist vulnerable sectors affected by the rising costs of basic goods and transportation. This assistance offers short-term relief to families dealing with tighter budgets and reduced purchasing power.

Tacloban City, an urbanized area in Eastern Visayas with a population exceeding 250,000, is experiencing growing financial strain among low-income communities. In areas like Barangay 60 in Sagkahan District, residents have reported that higher fuel prices have led to an increase in the prices of essential goods, resulting in many households cutting back on meals and focusing only on basic necessities.

The impact is particularly significant for working-class residents, including tricycle drivers, market vendors, and daily wage earners, who have stated that the rising fuel costs have significantly reduced their already limited incomes.

During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Tacloban on April 30, the government launched the rice assistance initiative as part of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, in conjunction with the LGSF Financial Assistance to Local Government Units. This program aims to provide immediate food support to sectors most affected by economic pressures.

Beneficiaries have expressed appreciation for the aid, noting that it helps them manage their limited income to cover other essential expenses such as food, utilities, education, and healthcare.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to offer immediate food security support to vulnerable communities facing ongoing economic challenges, particularly the increasing prices of fuel and commodities.

Photo courtesy: PIA