By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Manila’s effort to put food assistance directly into the hands of vulnerable families is taking a community-work approach, with 250 daycare parents receiving three kilos of rice each in exchange for helping clean and maintain their neighborhoods.
Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso led the distribution Thursday, September 10, at Dakota Court along President Quirino Avenue in Malate for beneficiaries from Districts V and VI and Baseco.
The activity marked the rollout of the second batch of the city’s Rice for Work Program, carried out under the theme “Kaagapay sa Hapag-Kainan.”
Rather than providing the rice as a stand-alone benefit, the program requires qualified beneficiaries to participate in community cleanup and environmental activities.
Domagoso appealed directly to the parents to work with the city government in keeping their surroundings clean.
“Puwede bang tulungan ninyo ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila na maglinis ng ating kapaligiran,” the mayor said, encouraging beneficiaries to turn their time into productive community service while receiving food assistance in return.
The second batch of the program will run from September 10 to 21, with cleanup and environmental activities scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday.
City officials said the initiative is intended to address immediate food needs while encouraging residents to take part in maintaining cleaner, safer and healthier communities.
The program effectively combines two objectives: providing rice to families needing assistance and mobilizing residents for activities that directly benefit their neighborhoods.
Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza and Manila Department of Social Welfare Director Jay dela Fuente joined Domagoso during Thursday’s distribution.
Beyond food assistance, the city government is positioning the program as a way to strengthen volunteerism and civic participation among Manileños.
Beneficiaries contribute their time to community activities while receiving rice that can help ease household food expenses.
The initiative also reflects the city’s broader effort to encourage residents to participate in maintaining public spaces instead of leaving cleanup responsibilities solely to government workers.
Domagoso also used the gathering to urge the parents to help spread information about leptospirosis.
He emphasized the importance of accurate and timely information in helping families understand the disease and take precautions, particularly in communities where environmental sanitation remains a concern.
With the second batch now underway, Manila’s Rice for Work Program continues to link basic food assistance with community participation—providing beneficiaries with rice while putting their time and effort toward cleaner and healthier neighborhoods.
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