CLARK FREEPORT — As part of the government’s push to strengthen local governance and expand direct assistance to vulnerable communities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the rollout of the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” Program in Pampanga at the Clark Picnic Grounds here on May 14.
Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Pampanga Association of Barangay Captains chair and board member Dr. Benjamin Angeles, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II and Angeles City ABC chair Danilo Nacu joined the president in the event.
Also in attendance were Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., Nanay Partylist Rep. Florabel Yatco, and Mabalacat City Mayor Geld Aquino.
Marcos Jr. received an instant roar of approval upon announcing that the 505 barangays of Pampanga and 33 barangays in Angeles City would each receive P200,000 in assistance under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund.
Under program, half of the allocation or P100,000 per barangay will be earmarked for scholarships intended for students at risk of dropping out due to financial difficulties.
Each barangay will then select five scholars who will receive P20,000 each.
Twenty-two Association of Barangay Captains presidents attended the ceremonial turnover of checks representing their respective barangays, while around 400 scholars joined the orientation activity. Marcos said the program aims to empower barangays by giving local governments resources for community-based initiatives and essential public services.
In the same activity, the Marcos administration also continued its food security initiatives through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) Rice Distribution Program, with 1,500 Aeta beneficiaries receiving rice assistance.
In Pampanga alone, the broader rice distribution program is expected to benefit 187,455 individuals from marginalized sectors, including persons with disabilities, cancer and dialysis patients, indigenous peoples, coastal residents, Bantay Bayan members, farm workers, solo parents, construction workers, household helpers, and other indigent communities.
Marcos Jr. also cited key LGSF-funded projects in Pampanga amounting to nearly P396 million. These include the 2023 procurement of 21 ambulance units worth P50 million; the 2024 construction of a multipurpose diagnostic building in Lubao valued at P50 million; a P10-million educational assistance and scholarship program; and the 2026 food assistance and rice distribution project worth P286 million.
Governor Pineda and Mayor Lazatin thanked the national government for the continued support for Kapampangans through various LGSF-funded projects and programs. Photos: Chris Espino/CLMA-Pampanga
