Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has announced a large-scale private relief initiative, pledging to distribute 1 million sacks of rice to families in Batangas who have reportedly not yet received government rice assistance.

In a ">recent social media post, Leviste said the aid will be personally funded and distributed without government involvement, photo opportunities, or selective allocation.

“Magbibigay ako ng 1 milyong sako ng bigas para sa lahat ng pamilyang hindi pa nabibigyan ng bigas ng gobyerno sa buong Batangas,” he said.

He added that coordination will be done through local government units to ensure proper scheduling of deliveries.

“Makipag-ugnayan sa inyong Mayor o barangay at iiskedyul namin ang delivery ng bigas. Dapat bawat barangay makikinabang,” Leviste added.

Leviste also expressed concern over what he described as delays and inconsistencies in the government’s rice distribution program.

In a separate post a day earlier, he appealed to local officials to expedite the release of rice assistance, citing delays in scheduled distribution in Nasugbu, Batangas.

“Muli po akong nakikiusap: Ipamigay na ang bigas, Gov. Vilma at Ralph Recto,” he wrote, alleging that rice distribution scheduled for May 21 had not pushed through despite earlier announcements.

He also questioned the allocation of funds intended for rice assistance in the province, referencing reports from barangay officials and a previously announced government promise that “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang.”

As of press time, local authorities have not yet issued a formal response to Leviste’s latest statements.