MANILA, (PIA) — In a heartwarming display of compassion and unity, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan joined forces to distribute 25 kilos of rice to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila, on Tuesday, September 26.
The event, organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aimed to provide much-needed assistance to approximately 1,000 4Ps beneficiaries across different levels, including survival, subsistence, and self-sufficiency.
“As the President and secretary of the Department of Agriculture, we will continue to come up with concrete solutions to address the problems facing the agricultural sector,” said President Marcos.
Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan extends her thanks to the national government for the rice received by their 4Ps beneficiaries. (Photo courtesy: DSWD)
In Metro Manila, the 1,000 beneficiaries come from different Barangays in the city of Manila where they are divided into levels from level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, or families at different levels of living based in the last conducted Social Welfare and Development Indicators (SWDI) assessment tool on them.
The rice distributed during this initiative holds a special significance as it represents a source of hope and relief for the beneficiaries.
These sacks of rice were part of a P42 million haul seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) during a recent raid on a warehouse in Zamboanga City.
This generous act demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and ensuring that essential goods, like rice, reach those who need them the most.
During her heartfelt speech at the distribution event, Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan expressed her gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries for the opportunity provided by the DSWD.
She also extended her appreciation to President Marcos for his tireless efforts to reduce the cost of daily essentials, particularly rice, for the Filipino people.
“Batid natin ang pagsisikap ng ating pangulo na mapababa na ang halaga ng ating pang-araw-araw na pagkain lalo na po ang bigas. Kaya’t kasabay sana ng ating pasasalamat sa kaniya ay hinihiling ko na isama natin siya sa ating mga dasal (We know how our President is working hard to lower the cost of our basic necessities, especially rice. So as we thank him for this, I ask that we also include him in our prayers),” she said.
Mayor Lacuna-Pangan went on to express her hope that President Marcos will continue to support and look after the beloved city of Manila, which serves as the capital of the Philippines and houses the highest leader of the nation.
“At sana ay huwag din po siyang magsawang lumingon sa ating minamahal na lungsod ng Maynila, na kapitolyo ng Pilipinas, at siya ngayong nagsisilbing lungsod na kumukupkop at nangangalaga sa pinaka-mataas na lider ng ating bansa (and I hope that he will not get tired of looking at our beloved city of Manila, which is the capital of the Philippines, and which houses and protects the highest leader of our country),” she added.
(Photo courtesy: DSWD)
Mayor Lacuna-Pangan also expressed her warm welcome to President Marcos, emphasizing that he is always welcome in the city.
This meaningful gesture of unity and support highlights the commitment of Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and President Marcos to improving the lives of their fellow Filipinos. It serves as a shining example of the power of collective action and the importance of government initiatives that prioritize the welfare of vulnerable communities. (PIA-NCR)
