Executive Secretary Ralph Recto reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to inclusive, decentralized growth at the launch of Bawat Bayan Makikinabang initiative in the province of Pampanga, highlighting direct local aid, infrastructure investments and key national programs.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of the region, Recto said, “Napakalaki ng papel ng Pampanga sa mga plano ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. para sa ating bansa. Unang-una, bahagi kayo ng tinatawag nating Luzon Economic Corridor. Layon naming gawin itong logistics at manufacturing hub sa buong Asia. At ang sentro niyan ay sa Clark.”
Layon naming gawin itong logistics at manufacturing hub sa buong Asia. At ang sentro niyan ay sa Clark.”
To connect these growth engines, major transit backbones are accelerating, the Palace official said.
“Sa 2027, sisimulan na natin ang partial operations ng Malolos–Valenzuela line ng NSCR. At sa 2028, ang Malolos–Clark naman. Ang biyahe mula Clark hanggang Calamba na ngayon ay apat na oras, magiging dalawang oras na lang,” he said.
“At syempre, ang pag-asenso ay hindi dapat hanggang Clark lang. Dapat ramdam din ito sa buong Pampanga at pinakababa. Kaya iyan po ang mismong dahilan kung bakit kami nandito ngayon. Utos po ng Pangulo na mas ilapit pa ang gobyerno at serbisyo sa inyo dito sa Pampanga,” the Executive Secretary added.
To address food security, the government is distributing free rice sourced directly from domestic growers to over 107,500 families across the province, embodying the principle that “ang ani ng Kapampangan, para sa kapwa Kapampangan”.
At the grassroots level, every barangay in Pampanga receives a direct allocation of P200,000.
“Direkta pong ipinagkatiwala ng ating Pangulo sa ating mga kapitan ang pondong ito dahil sila ang araw-araw na nasa ground,” Recto said, noting that the funds address practical community needs such as administrative equipment, community furniture and street lighting.
An additional P251 million supports major local projects, including a multipurpose building in Barangay San Roque, medical equipment, local road developments and an evacuation center in Barangay Santa Catalina.
Educational support remains a central pillar to break generational poverty, with targeted assistance helping fund the graduation of five fourth-year college students per barangay, supplementing the more than 2,500 Presidential Scholars in Pampanga and over 30 million student beneficiaries nationwide. Furthermore, under the expanded UPLIFT assistance program, over 75,000 local families including drivers, fisherfolk and farmers are receiving direct financial relief.
Looking ahead to 2027, national fiscal support will scale up significantly. Out of a historic P1.4 trillion National Tax Allotment for LGUs nationwide, Pampanga is set to receive P25.83 billion, distributed among its provincial government, municipalities, cities and barangays to enhance local health centers, free medicine distribution, social protection programs and rapid disaster response.
“Gamitin ang pondo kung saan tunay na kailangan.”
“Gamitin ang pondo kung saan tunay na kailangan. Gamitin nang tama. Gamitin nang walang bahid ng pulitika. At higit sa lahat, gamitin para sa tao ang pera ng bayan,” Recto said, reminding local leaders and barangay captains to manage public resources with utmost integrity.
“Makakaasa po kayo na sa Bagong Pilipinas, walang bayan ang mapapabayaan. Kasama ang Pampanga sa makikinabang. Bawat Pilipino po ay tutulungan nating umasenso,” he added.
Recto was joined by Former President and incumbent Pampanga 2nd District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Governor Lilia Pineda, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, 1st District Representative Carmelo Lazatin, Jr., and 4th District Representative Anna York-Bondoc.
