ISABEL, LEYTE — The Municipal Government of Isabel, under the leadership of Mayor Bennet Pongos, completed a large-scale food assistance and rice distribution initiative across 24 barangays on September 17, 2026, delivering relief aid to a total of 8,333 beneficiary families.
Clustered Distribution and Numerical Breakdown
The relief operations were structured into five strategic geographic clusters to streamline distribution across participating barangays:
Cluster 1 (1,662 Families): Covering six barangays, distribution reached 298 families in Apale, 470 in Bilwang, 94 in Binog, 153 in Honan, 347 in Tolingon, and 300 in Tubod.
Cluster 2 (2,105 Families): Covering two high-density communities, aid was provided to 785 families in Libertad and 1,320 families in Matlang.
Cluster 3 (2,095 Families): Covering five barangays, recipients included 462 families in Mahayag, 255 in San Roque, 385 in Sta. Cruz, 800 in Sto. Niño, and 193 in Sto. Rosario.
Cluster 4 (1,833 Families): Spanning eight barangays, rice distribution reached 128 families in Anislag, 144 in Cangag, 91 in Can-Andan, 126 in Consolacion, 735 in Marvel, 103 in Monte Alegre, 179 in Puting Bato, and 327 in Tabunok.
Cluster 5 (698 Families): Covering three coastal and agricultural barangays, assistance went to 90 families in Antipolo, 492 in Bantique, and 116 in San Francisco.
Local Governance and Program Execution
Municipal officials accompanied the distribution teams to monitor field operations and ensure complete coverage across all designated barangays:
Executive Oversight: Mayor Bennet Pongos spearheaded the municipal program, accompanied by Sangguniang Bayan Member Noel Banaag, Executive Assistant James Raymond Pongos, and Barangay Libertad Councilor Rogie Isada.
Social Protection Objective: Local officials affirmed that the ongoing food assistance framework forms part of Isabel's municipal social welfare strategy to buffer low-income households against rising food costs and agricultural supply shifts.
