By Brian Campued
As part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen local government units (LGUs) and extend assistance to the grassroots, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the rollout of the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative in Pampanga on Thursday.
During the event, the President turned over a total of P101 million worth of financial assistance under the Socio-Civic Projects Funds (SCPF) to around 505 barangays in Pampanga and about P6.6 million to 33 barangays in Angeles City.
Each barangay would receive P200,000, half of which is allocated for providing support to five presidential scholars nearing graduation who are facing financial difficulties.
“Education is the most valuable gift anybody can give to you because it is something na hindi ‘yan malulusaw, hindi mababawasan, hindi puwedeng nakawin, hindi puwedeng agawin sa inyo. And it will help you for the rest of your life,” Marcos said.
To help ease the burden of rising basic commodity prices while strengthening efforts to ensure food security in the country, the Chief Executive also led the distribution of 10-kilogram sacks of rice to each beneficiary of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program funded by the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
At least 1,500 Aeta beneficiaries received rice assistance during the event, with a total of 187,455 individuals expected to benefit from the broader rice distribution program to marginalized sectors in Pampanga.
“Pangarap ko po para sa Pilipinas ay masabi lang natin na wala nang gutom na Pilipino. Tinatrabaho po natin ‘yan,” the President said.
Marcos said the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative seeks to empower barangays by giving local governments resources for community-based programs and essential public services.
“Pagka mayroon kayong kailangan, pagka mayroon kayong nakita na hindi tama o may naisip kayong magandang puwedeng gawin, sabihan niyo po kami at kagaya ng sabi ko, hangga’t kaya naming gawin basta’t maliwanag na nakakatulong sa taumbayan gagawin po ng inyong gobyerno. Hindi po kayo iniiwan. Hindi po kayo nalilimutan,” he said.
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