Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian announced that more than 80,000 senior citizens in the city will begin receiving rice assistance in July under the local government’s annual “Pasko sa Hulyo” program.

Gatchalian made the announcement during the second tranche of the national government’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” rice distribution program held at the Valenzuela City Amphitheater on Tuesday, June 30.

The activity was led by Gatchalian together with San Juan City Mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) President Francis Zamora, Vice Mayor Marlon Alejandrino, and members of the City Council.

“Kami ho, sa lokal, starting July ay mamimigay rin po kami ng bigas, kung saan ang mga lolo’t lola po natin, ang higit 80,000 natin na senior citizens ay makakatanggap naman ng maagang pamaskong handog galing sa lokal na pamahalaan (Starting in July, the local government will also distribute rice, where our more than 80,000 senior citizens will receive an early Christmas gift from the local government),” Gatchalian said.

The mayor said the city’s rice distribution program complements the national government’s food assistance initiative, further strengthening efforts to improve food accessibility and support vulnerable sectors.

During Tuesday’s distribution, 2,645 qualified beneficiaries each received 10 kilos of rice.

The city government said the latest distribution increased the total number of beneficiaries served under the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program in Valenzuela to 34,652 from identified vulnerable sectors.

Under the national government’s program, each beneficiary will receive a total of 40 kilos of rice upon the completion of all four distribution tranches.

Gatchalian thanked the national government for its continued partnership with the city in implementing programs that directly benefit local communities.

Launched in February 2026, the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program is part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s initiative to provide direct food assistance to Filipino families nationwide.