ILOILO CITY—Local officials expressed appreciation to the Marcos administration after Executive Secretary Ralph Recto led distribution of various aid programs earlier this week.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Pangulo sa mga tulong na ibinigay niya rito sa Iloilo. I’ve been telling our people in the province that we are truly being prioritized,” said Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr.

During the August 25 distribution program, Recto assured the people of Iloilo they are part of the social aid programs under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Recto distributed the P200,000 aid for each of the 1,721 barangays in the 42 towns and component city of Passi.

As part of the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang for Iloilo, Recto reiterated that it is the first time that each barangay in the country has been given aid directly by Malacañang under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF).

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Office of the President and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto for his presence and support,” said Barangay Provincial Federation President Amalia Debuque.

Of the P200,000 allocated for each barangay, half of it will be for Presidential Scholars of five graduating college students.

In Iloilo province alone, there are more than 8,000 graduating students who are going to be beneficiaries of the P20,000 each aid per barangay.

In the town of Pavia, Recto also distributed 10 kilos of rice each to an initial 1,500 family beneficiaries. As part of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Distribution Program, it will benefit a total of 8,000 families in Pavia with P5 million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

Also present during the ceremonial distribution were 1st District Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin, League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Iloilo President Mayor Suzette Mamon, municipal mayors, and barangay officials.