First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos on Friday completed the five-day rollout of her “Mula sa Puso Para sa Pamilya” initiative in Metro Manila, distributing 10 kilos of rice each to 3,300 beneficiaries in Novaliches, Quezon City.
The distribution was held at the District Center inside Jordan Plains Subdivision in Barangay Sta. Monica, one of the 14 barangays under Quezon City’s Fifth District, marking the final leg of the week-long program in the capital.
The initiative earlier reached other communities in Quezon City and Manila, targeting vulnerable families through scheduled distribution rounds.
Barangay Sta. Monica Chairman Charlie Manalad welcomed the program, noting that beneficiaries are expected to receive assistance in multiple tranches rather than a single release.
“Hindi lang ito isang beses… magkakaroon ng apat na tranches ang ibibigay sa mga beneficiaries,” Manalad said.
Barangay officials said around 1,300 beneficiaries were physically present during Friday’s distribution, while the total coverage reaches 3,300 recipients across all barangays in the district.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying each beneficiary will receive 10 kilos of rice every two months across four distribution cycles.
She added that the rice distributed under the program was sourced directly from Filipino farmers, linking social assistance with support for local agriculture.
Beneficiaries included senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low-income families, many of whom said the aid would help ease daily household expenses.
Among them was 52-year-old Celso Garrett, a PWD who underwent kidney surgery and has since been unable to work as a driver while supporting a child in college.
“Importante sa akin ito bilang PWD,” he said, expressing gratitude for the assistance.
Local officials and guests, including Fifth District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas, former Rep. Kit Belmonte, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, also attended the event.
The program also featured raffle giveaways, with beneficiaries receiving additional items such as rice cookers, sacks of rice, and appliances.
Under the initiative, the government aims to provide regular rice assistance while also supporting Filipino farmers through direct procurement.