Food security is more than a policy objective, it is a daily concern for millions of Filipino families. This is why government programs that help the Filipino family have food on their table is very much appreciated by our constituents.

One initiative that embodies this commitment is “Mula sa Puso, Para sa Pamilya,” a socio-civic undertaking that brings together the national government and local government units to provide immediate assistance to families who need it most. Beyond distributing free rice, it reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that no Filipino is left behind.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of joining First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos in visiting different cities across the National Capital Region to personally distribute 10-kilo sacks of rice to our most vulnerable citizens. From Quezon City with Mayor Joy Belmonte, Muntinlupa City with Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Parañaque City with Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Mandaluyong City with Mayor Menchie Abalos, Malabon City with Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Pasay City with Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, every visit has been a testament to a vision to help families put food on their tables. San Juan City was likewise honored to be visited by the First Lady for the second tranche of our rice distribution. This rice assistance program will be conducted four times this year.

This initiative is more than a distribution of an essential commodity, it is a manifestation of the Whole-of-Government approach which our Bagong Pilipinas administration is implementing. It is funded through President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) which enables local government units to deliver essential services to their constituents. This year, the 2026 national budget includes the largest LGSF allocation in history, at ₱57.872 billion, underscoring the administration’s commitment to empowering local government units and strengthening service delivery across the country.

As mayor of San Juan City, I have witnessed firsthand how programs like this make a difference in the lives of our constituents. I am truly grateful for the unwavering support and trust that PBBM and our First Lady have consistently shown the people of San Juan. Their visits to our city have gone beyond providing material assistance. They have reinforced our shared commitment to ensuring that the government remains present, responsive, and compassionate.

The First Lady’s hands-on leadership, together with President Marcos’ vision of a government that works closely with local communities, demonstrates the value of partnership between the national government and local government units. When our goals are aligned and our efforts are coordinated, we are able to deliver programs more efficiently and extend assistance to more Filipino families.

As National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines and the President of the Metro Manila Council, I fully support initiatives that strengthen collaboration among our cities while directly improving the lives of our people. My commitment to this program goes beyond my responsibilities as mayor; it is rooted in the belief that every local government has a vital role to play in advancing food security and social welfare.

As we continue bringing “Mula sa Puso, Para sa Pamilya” to more communities across the country, I look forward to standing alongside our national government and my fellow local chief executives to ensure that every Filipino household can benefit from this initiative. The national government has already downloaded the funds for this rice distribution program to the LGUs, and now it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these benefits reach the families they are intended to serve. To my colleagues in the local government, let us work together to deliver this assistance efficiently and strengthen our shared commitment to food security so that more Filipino households can benefit from this undertaking.

Together, let us continue building a Bagong Pilipinas where food security is not a privilege, but a reality for every home.