Thousands of residents in Calasiao, Pangasinan received free food packs as part of a local government initiative aimed at helping families cope with rising costs.

The distribution, dubbed “People’s Market Day,” provided vegetables, meat, eggs, rice and other essentials to around 10,000 beneficiaries, according to the municipal government.

Some residents said the assistance allowed them to save money for other needs.

“Napaka-blessed po namin ngayon kasi kahit papaaano may dumating para sa pagkain po namin,” Rosana Tamayo, a resident, said.

“Maganda ‘to, tulong din ‘to sa pamilya. Marami ‘to, marami, ilang araw din ‘tong gagamitin,” Leonardo Arabe, another resident, added.

Mayor Patrick Caramat said the program also supports local vendors by purchasing their goods for redistribution.

“Ito pong naisipan natin na mag-giveback sa ating mga marginalized sector dito po sa bayan ng Calasiao. Naisipan po namin gumawa ng People’s Day wherein lahat po ng produced products ng market vendors, local producers binili po natin ang kanilang paninda and then binigay din po natin sa tao,” Caramat said.

The products distributed included locally sourced goods such as smoked fish from Tali