By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the simultaneous rollout of the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” Program in four cities in Metro Manila, expanding government assistance for indigent and vulnerable households.
The pilot implementation in Metro Manila is part of a broader effort to streamline the delivery of national programs in coordination with local government units (LGUs), ensuring that aid and development initiatives are immediately felt at the grassroots level.
Marcos visited the cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Pasay to oversee the rollout, underscoring the administration’s continued push to strengthen collaboration between the national and local governments in delivering social services closer to communities.
In his remarks at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Marcos emphasized the importance of synchronized national and local government efforts in implementing public programs.
“Sinadya ko po rito kayo ngayong araw na ito upang tingnan at tiyakin na maganda ang ating paglulunsad ng mga bagong programa na nanggagaling sa national government na kasabay ang ating mga local government,” he said.
Marcos said the initiative aims to promote inclusive development and strengthen the localized delivery of social services through LGUs.
As a former governor of Ilocos Norte, the President reflected on his experience in local governance, saying it helped shape his approach to public service.
He noted that firsthand experience at the local level is crucial in understanding public concerns.
“Ito ay ginawa namin upang maramdaman kaagad ng taong bayan, anuman ang programa, anuman ang tulong, o anuman ang pondo na ibinibigay ng national government ay idadaan natin sa local government,” Marcos said.
“Ang dami kong natutunan tungkol sa pagpapatakbo kapag nasa ground level. Iba kapag congressman ka, iba kapag senador ka. Ibang-iba kapag Pangulo ka. Hindi mo makikita. Hindi mo alam kung ano talaga ang mga issue at ano ba ‘yung practical na mga pangyayari na kailangang bigyan ng solusyon.”
In Muntinlupa City, about 1,900 families were identified as pilot beneficiaries of the rice subsidy under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program.
The initiative covers indigent and vulnerable households across all nine villages, with a broader rollout targeting 31,000 families citywide.
Under the program, each barangay from four cities also received P200,000 in cash assistance to support priority community projects and local initiatives.
Five presidential scholars from each village also received P20,000 each.
