Hundreds of residents in Pila and Santa Cruz received free chicken and vegetables through the Laguna Pantry program of the Provincial Government of Laguna, led by Governor Sol Aragones, with the support of the FAES-OPAG, headed by Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Niño Paul Maynard Banayo and Provincial Veterinary Office headed by Dr. Michael Cortez.
The initiative brought food assistance directly to communities while supporting local farmers and producers.
The Laguna Pantry brought the distribution to Barangay Masico in Pila and Barangay San Jose in Santa Cruz, where residents received fresh chicken and vegetables.
Aragones personally joined the distribution and met with beneficiaries to hear their concerns and understand their needs.
In Pila, the lady governor was joined by Mayor Queen Alarva, who highlighted the program’s impact not only on families receiving free food but also on local farmers, as the Provincial Government directly purchases the chicken, meat, and vegetables distributed through Laguna Pantry.
Meanwhile, Santa Cruz Mayor Benjo Agarao joined Aragones during the distribution in San Jose and expressed his appreciation for the provincial initiative, particularly in a municipality with many residents engaged in farming and the meat industry.
“Napakaswerte po ng ating lalawigan dahil mayroon po tayong isang mapagkalingang ina.”
“Napakaswerte po ng ating lalawigan dahil mayroon po tayong isang mapagkalingang ina,” Agarao said.
Aragones emphasized that the Laguna Pantry is anchored on personally reaching communities and understanding their needs beyond reports and statistics.
“Ayoko ng report lang gusto ko nararamdaman ko ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga barangay.”
“Ayoko ng report lang gusto ko nararamdaman ko ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga barangay,” she said.
Aragones also underscored the Provincial Government’s commitment to further expand the reach of programs such as Laguna Pantry and increase the number of beneficiaries across Laguna.
Through the initiative, the Provincial Government continues to strengthen its Gobyernong May Solusyon by bringing food assistance directly to barangays while creating a market for local agricultural and livestock products benefiting both Lagunense families and local producers.
