By Brian Campued
Marking his first public appearance after being appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, newly installed Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos on Friday vowed to help ensure the effective implementation of administration’s priority programs nationwide so that every Filipino feels and benefits from government services.
Abalos pledged the distribution of free rice to vulnerable sector beneficiaries in Mandaluyong City under the “Mula sa Puso para sa Pamilya” initiative of First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.
During the event, Abalos said that the President has directed him to personally visit communities, coordinate with government agencies, and help resolve public concerns.
“Mas lalong pag-igtingin natin, Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao, bumaba ka. Lahat ng serbisyo ng Pilipinas, iparamdam natin sa ultimong kasulok-sulukan dito,” he said.
“So ‘yun po ang magiging trabaho ko: makikinig sa problema ninyo. Lahat ng problema, susubukang ayusin. Meron tayong Pangulong nakikinig, at higit sa lahat, meron tayong Pangulong umaaksiyon,” he added.
Abalos also said the rice distribution program reflects the administration’s commitment to bringing public services directly to the people.
“Itong bigas na ito ay talagang pinag-usapan po ito sa gabinete, na ’yung pong mga pera na kailangang ibaba para maramdaman, talagang pinababa ng ating Pangulo,” he said.
Meanwhile, the First Lady acknowledged that the rice aid was only a modest contribution but expressed hope that it would provide immediate relief to beneficiaries.
“Alam ko, mahirap ang panahon ngayon. We cannot eradicate poverty 100 percent. But, sana this little rice… hopefully it will make things easier for the next couple of days,” she said.
Around 2,000 senior citizens, 1,000 members of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODA) and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA), and 100 children with disabilities across 27 barangays in Mandaluyong City each received 10-kilos of rice.
The rice assistance was funded through the Local Government Support Fund, with the concerned local government purchasing the rice directly from local farmers.
This forms part of the government’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” Program, which aims to strengthen local governance by providing direct assistance to vulnerable communities nationwide.
-jpv
