Mabalacat City, led by Mayor Geld Aquino, released financial assistance on January 12, 2026 to beneficiaries of its emergency employment program during a payout activity held in Barangay Calumpang.

During the payout distribution, Mayor Geld Aquino was joined by Vice Mayor Jun Castro, Councilors Marjorie Sambo, Pat Acorda, Errol Soliven, Vicoy Ong, Noel Castro, Ike Morales, Benny Jocson and Dr. Stephen Aurelio.

A total of 948 beneficiaries each received PHP 11,400 under Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished), implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the City Agriculture Office in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Under the LAWA and BINHI programs, beneficiaries engaged in the planting of various vegetables, which now serve as food security sources for the barangays where the gardens were established.

Mayor Aquino was joined during the payout by Vice Mayor Jun Castro and City Councilors Marjorie Sambo, Pat Acorda, Errol Soliven, Vicoy Ong, Noel Castro, Benny Jocson, and Dr. Stephen Aurelio.