RC Makati Launches Another Food Share Program in Padre Garcia

For 60 families in Padre Garcia, Batangas, the next six months will bring regular rice assistance and support for growing food at home. Building on the encouraging results of last year’s program, RC Makati launched a new cycle of the Food Share Program on September 18, 2026, in partnership with Kabisig ng Kalahi, DSWD CALABARZON, and the Municipal Government of Padre Garcia.

The program will assist families from Barangays Maugat East and Maugat West. Each beneficiary family will receive 20 kilograms of rice every two months. The Municipal Government of Padre Garcia pledged an additional five kilograms per family for each distribution, bringing the total rice assistance to 25 kilograms every two months during the six-month program period. Seedlings were also distributed to encourage families to establish home gardens and grow food for their households.

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The RC Makati delegation included Pres. Chris Ferareza, PP Freddie and Jojo Borromeo, Rtn. Lester Kiong, Chum Aquino, and Meg Rivilla. They were joined by representatives of RC Padre Garcia, led by Pres. David Talusig, with PE/Sec. Yvette Trinidad and Christie Vidal, as well as Kabisig ng Kalahi President Vicky Wieneke and Food Share Program Project Coordinator Jen Alawi.

The activity was also attended by Padre Garcia Mayor Celsa Rivera and Vice Mayor Micko Rivera, officers from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), and a representative from DSWD CALABARZON. These offices will help coordinate the program and monitor the participating families.

In his message to the beneficiaries, Pres. Chris Ferareza encouraged parents to find simple ways to make nutritious food more appealing to children, such as blending vegetables into familiar dishes or presenting meals creatively. He acknowledged that children may be reluctant to eat healthy food and emphasized the role of parents in helping them develop better eating habits.

He also discussed possible collaboration with RC Padre Garcia on forming cooperatives to improve access to nutritious food. Further discussions with local authorities are planned to explore how these initiatives could help families work together to meet their nutritional needs.

After the partners and Pres. Chris Ferareza delivered their messages, the first distribution of sacks of rice was held for the 60 participating families. This is the second consecutive year that RC Makati has supported the Food Share Program in Padre Garcia, following the previous cycle launched in August 2025 during the term of IPP Eddie Galvez. Encouraging progress among last year’s beneficiaries prompted the Club and its partners to extend the program to another group of families this Rotary year. RC Makati provided PHP200,000 for the purchase of rice and the organization and implementation of the current program.

Each partner has a specific role in carrying out the program. Kabisig ng Kalahi leads its implementation and coordination, manages the funds, and keeps RC Makati updated on its progress. DSWD CALABARZON helps validate the selected communities, orient the LGU, and monitor the program. The Municipal Government of Padre Garcia and the participating barangays help identify qualified families, coordinate activities, and oversee beneficiaries’ participation.

The Food Share Program also encourages families to take an active role in improving their circumstances. Vegetable gardening, proper nutrition, agriculture, and other enrichment and livelihood activities are integrated into the program to help participating families work toward greater food security and self-reliance.

This is the second Food Share Program supported by RC Makati this Rotary year, following the launch in Tanay, Rizal, in July 2026. The Club is now extending its support to the Tanay communities through the BERDE Program.

Following the launch, PP Freddie and Jojo Borromeo hosted lunch at Tomyang Restaurant in Padre Garcia.