QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released to the National Food Authority (NFA) a total of P1,182,905,000 for the one-time rice assistance to all qualified employees and workers of government agencies.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) on April 12.

"As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we shall ensure the welfare of our government workers by giving them assistance for their household needs and, at the same time, boosting the production of our rice farmers," said Pangandaman.

To date, there are around 1,892,648 government workers, including Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) personnel, who will benefit from the rice assistance.

It can be recalled that Administrative Order No. 2, signed by Marcos, authorizes the provision of a one-time subsidy of a uniform amount of 25 kilos of rice to all qualified government workers and employees. (PIA-NCR)