Hundreds of struggling families in Muntinlupa received much-needed assistance as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally led the pilot launch of the government’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program on Wednesday.
The event, held at the Muntinlupa Sports Center, benefited around 1,900 families who each received 10 kilos of rice. The initiative also extended educational assistance to 45 scholars from different barangays in the city.
For many residents, the support provided immediate relief amid rising living costs.
Michelle Valencia Dullavin, a solo parent from Barangay Bayanan raising seven children, said the rice assistance would greatly help her family survive daily expenses. Six of her children are currently attending school, while she earns a living through online food sales and occasional assistance in processing government documents.
“Napakahirap ng sitwasyon ko sa ngayon, lalo na sa mahal ng mga bilihin,” Dullavin said.
Another beneficiary from Bayanan, Elmera Ann Molus Mejio, also welcomed the program. Her husband works as a part-time construction worker, while she helps augment their income by selling kikiam and siomai near their home.
According to Mejio, the assurance of receiving rice assistance every two months would lessen their worries about putting food on the table.
“Malaking pasalamat namin sa gobyerno ni PBBM dahil dito,” she said.
The initial rollout of the program covers indigent and vulnerable families from all nine barangays in Muntinlupa. The government aims to eventually expand the initiative to around 31,000 families in the city.
Aside from food support, the program also includes an educational assistance component through the Presidential Scholars initiative. Forty-five students, about five from each barangay, received P20,000 each to help cover educational expenses.
Among them was Jydel Ann Victoria, a graduating Information Technology student at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, who said the financial aid would help her complete school requirements and prepare for the Civil Service examination.
“Pangarap ko talagang makatapos at magtrabaho sa gobyerno,” Victoria said, adding that the scholarship provides hope for students from low-income families.
Meanwhile, Joejen Vico, a criminology student from Barangay Alabang, said he plans to use part of the assistance for technical training as he hopes to work abroad to support his family.
The initiative also includes the Bagong Pilipinas and Barangay Assistance Program, which granted P200,000 each to Muntinlupa’s nine barangays for local projects and community programs. In total, the city received P1.8 million under the scheme.
The assistance covered the barangays of Alabang, Ayala Alabang, Bayanan, Buli, Cupang, Poblacion, Putatan, Sucat, and Tunasan.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon thanked the national government for bringing the program to the city, saying the initiative directly benefits residents through food, education, and barangay support.
As the government prepares to expand the program nationwide, officials said the initiative aims to provide immediate aid while creating better opportunities for vulnerable Filipino families.