President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally led the rollout of the government's "Biyayang Bigas" program on Thursday, April 16, distributing 10 kilograms of free rice to workers and low-income residents in Manila as the country continues to grapple with rising petroleum and living costs.

The six-month initiative provides 10 kilos of free rice to 80,000 families, with Manila serving as the first city to implement the program before its nationwide expansion.

During the distribution, President Marcos explained the rationale behind the program and how local governments are being empowered to manage it.

"Ang programang ito ay magbibigay nitong 10 kilo na bigas, anim na beses sa isang taon. At patuloy lang ating binibigay. Binigay na po natin sa ating mga local government para naman ay mabilis. At alam ng local government kasi kung minsan 'yung listahan ng ating mga — dito sa national government, sa mga ahensiya, kung minsan luma na. Sino ba talaga 'yung mga nangangailangan? Sino ba 'yung mga talagang mahihirap na walang makain? Kung minsan 'yung listahan namin medyo nahuhuli," Marcos said.

("This program will provide 10 kilos of rice, six times a year. And we will keep giving. We have already turned it over to the local governments so distribution can be faster. The local governments know better — because sometimes the lists we have at the national level, in the agencies, are already outdated. Who really needs it? Who are the truly poor who have nothing to eat? Sometimes our lists fall behind.")

Not only workers will benefit from the rice distribution, but also poor families. 

In Manila, around 80,000 individuals are expected to receive free rice from the government. 

The funds allocated for this program come from the Local Government Support Fund or LGSF, sourced from the national government.