Nearly 8,900 senior citizens in San Juan are set to receive 10 kilos of rice each under the government’s Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program, with the first batch of beneficiaries receiving aid on Monday.
First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos led the distribution of rice packs to around 4,400 senior citizens at the FilOil Center, together with San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora.
Another batch of more than 4,498 senior citizens is expected to receive the same rice aid within the week under the Mula sa Puso Para sa Pamilya initiative.
Araneta-Marcos said the distribution reflects the administration’s continuing support for vulnerable sectors, including the elderly.
She recalled that she received her COVID-19 vaccination in San Juan during the pandemic, saying the rice distribution was a way of giving back to the city.
“And here I am now giving back to all of you. Grabe ang mundo, umiikot talaga,” the First Lady said.
She thanked the San Juan City government for helping bring government assistance closer to residents and called for unity among Filipinos.
“Sama-sama po tayo sa Bagong Pilipinas… At the end of the day, lahat tayo ay iisa. Sama-sama tayong babangon muli,” Araneta-Marcos said.
During the event, the First Lady spoke with senior citizens, listened to their stories, and asked about their well-being.
Aside from the rice distribution, organizers also raffled off rice cookers and television digiboxes.
The rice assistance was funded through the Local Government Support Fund.
Under the program, the government provides 10 kilos of rice to members of indigent and other vulnerable sectors at least four to six times a year.