President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the simultaneous rollout of the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” Program in four cities in Metro Manila, expanding government assistance for indigent and vulnerable households.

The pilot implementation in Metro Manila is part of a broader effort to streamline the delivery of national programs in coordination with local government units (LGUs), ensuring that aid and development initiatives are immediately felt at the grassroots level.

Marcos visited the cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Pasay to oversee the rollout, underscoring the administration’s continued push to strengthen collaboration between the national and local governments in delivering social services closer to communities.

In his remarks at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Marcos emphasized the importance of synchronized national and local government efforts in implementing public programs.

“Sinadya ko po rito kayo ngayong araw na ito upang tignan at tiyakin na maganda ang ating paglulunsad ng mga bagong programa na nanggagaling sa national government na kasabay ang ating mga local government (I came here to personally ensure the proper launch of new programs from the national government in coordination with our local government units),” he said.

Marcos said the initiative aims to promote inclusive development and strengthen the localized delivery of social services through LGUs.

As a former governor of Ilocos Norte, the President reflected on his experience in local governance, saying it helped shape his approach to public service.

He noted that firsthand experience at the local level is crucial in understanding public concerns.

“Ito ay ginawa namin upang maramdaman kaagad ng taong bayan, anuman ang programa, anuman ang tulong, o anuman ang pondo na ibinibigay ng national government ay idadaan natin sa local government (This was done so that the public can immediately feel the impact of government programs, assistance, or funds provided by the national government, which will be coursed through local governments),” Marcos said.

“Ang dami kong natutunan tungkol sa pagpapatakbo kapag nasa ground level. Iba kapag congressman ka, iba kapag senador ka. Ibang-iba kapag Pangulo ka. Hindi mo makikita. Hindi mo alam kung ano talaga ang mga issue at ano ba ‘yung practical na mga pagyayari na kailangang bigyan ng solusyon (I learned a lot about governance at the ground level as governor. It is different when you are a congressman, different when you are a senator, and very different when you are President. You don’t always see or fully understand the real issues and practical situations that need to be addressed).”

In Muntinlupa City, about 1,900 families were identified as pilot beneficiaries of the rice subsidy under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program.

The initiative covers indigent and vulnerable households across all nine villages, with a broader rollout targeting 31,00 families citywide.

Under the program, each barangay from four cities also received PHP200,000 in cash assistance to support priority community projects and local initiatives.

Five presidential scholars from each village also received PHP20,000 each. (PNA)