Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto spearheaded a major social protection and local development rollout in Laguna on September 11, turning over emergency medical vehicles and distributing direct food relief under the Marcos administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative.
Recto was joined during the ceremonial handover by Laguna Governor Sol Aragones, Vice Governor Atty. JM Carait and key provincial and municipal officials. The joint activity aimed to streamline national resource distribution by transferring social protection and healthcare assets directly to local communities.
As part of the regional launch of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program (BPRP), an initial cohort of 500 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) received 10-kilogram packs of premium rice. Designed as a continuous assistance framework, the program purchases grain directly from domestic agricultural producers, simultaneously supporting local farming livelihoods while providing food relief to low-income families.
“May Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program pa tayo para siguraduhing walang Pilipino ang magugutom,” Recto assured attendees during the distribution.
Alongside the food relief drive, Recto presented the initial batch of nine fully equipped, state-of-the-art medical ambulances funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). The vehicles represent the first tranche of a broader 34-unit allocation aimed at upgrading municipal patient transport systems and emergency medical services across the province.
Addressing local leaders and medical personnel, Recto highlighted the importance of bottom-up development planning in capital allocation.
“Iyan po ang maganda kapag sa barangay nanggagaling ang desisyon, siguradong pakikinabangan ng tao,” he said.
Provincial leaders welcomed the twin intervention, noting that linking direct social welfare for vulnerable sectors with core healthcare infrastructure upgrades delivers comprehensive support to both households and local emergency response teams.
The event forms part of an ongoing nationwide series of grassroots rollouts under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign to expand social assistance programs and reinforce regional emergency care capacity.