FIRST lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ “Mula sa Puso para sa Pamilya” rice distribution program was rolled out in Valenzuela City on Tuesday, with a total target of 34,653 Valenzuelanos as beneficiaries.
Araneta-Marcos, however, failed to show up at the People’s Park amphitheater along MacArthur Highway, where 2,645 beneficiaries waited to see and mingle with her.
Mayor Wes Gatchalian and his brother, 1st District Rep. Kenneth Gatchalian, said that the first lady was represented by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Metro Manila Council president and national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines.
The entire members of the city council, led by Vice Mayor Marlon Paulo Alejandrino and 2nd District Rep. Gerard Galang, were also in attendance at the distribution of 10-kilo rice packs to beneficiaries.
Both Gatchalian and Zamora lauded the first couple’s efforts and support for the Filipinos in times of crisis, including the distribution of rice packs.
They shared the first lady’s message of solidarity, compassion and hope as she has cited the importance of helping families meet their daily food needs.
During her visits to at least three villages in Quezon City last week, where she led a similar program with Mayor Joy Belmonte, Araneta-Marcos expressed hope that the “modest assistance” would help ease the burden of the people in the days to come.
Mayor Gatchalian said the rice distribution program was funded through the Local Government Support Fund, released by the Office of the President to the city government.
Congressman Gatchalian said each beneficiary stands to receive a total of 40 kilos of rice as the program involves four tranches.
