Marcos OKs release of 25 kg rice to military, uniformed personnel

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an administrative order that authorizes the one-time grant of rice assistance to military and uniformed personnel this year.

Signed on November 7, Administrative Order 26 states that 25 kilograms of rice will be given as long as they are in active service as of November 30, 2024.

Covered by the order are the following agencies:

• Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Philippine National Police
• Bureau of Fire Protection
• Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
• Philippine Public Safety College
• Bureau of Corrections
• Philippine Coast Guard
• National Mapping and Resource Information Authority

Eligible personnel may claim their rice benefit from December 2024 to March 2025 at designated warehouses of the National Food Authority.

''The one-time rice assistance shall be sourced from local and participating farmers of the Kadiwa Program of the DA (Department of Agriculture),'' the AO said.

Meanwhile, the Palace issued Memorandum Circular 73, which approved the implementation of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Plan 2023-2028.

Accelerating digitalization and innovation of MSMEs and startups are among the key strategies to boost the country's industry sector, the circular said.

The Palace also issued Memorandum Circular 74, which adopted the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts 2024-2029, which serves as the ''national blueprint for the advancement of the country's culture and arts sector.'' — VBL, GMA Integrated News