First District Representative Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde on Monday delivered an emotional and impactful State of the District Address (SODA), reporting that over 400,000 constituents have benefited from his flagship program, Aksyon Agad, since he assumed office in 2022.
Speaking at the packed Skydome of SM North Edsa, Atayde expressed gratitude to the people of District 1, as well as to his wife Maine Mendoza, parents Art Atayde and Sylvia Sanchez, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for their unwavering support.
“Sa bawat pisong inilalaan ng gobyerno para sa ating distrito, sinisigurado nating walang nasasayang—lahat ay napupunta sa programang direktang makakatulong sa inyo,” he said. “Public service is not about grand gestures or sweet words—ito ay ang mabilis, epektibo, at tunay na pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng tao.”
Among the most notable achievements under Aksyon Agad are:
- Employment: 11,498 individuals assisted through the TUPAD emergency employment program
- Overseas Jobs: 1,500 jobseekers connected through the Taiwan Job Fair
- Skills Development: 1,100 trained under TESDA and other livelihood programs
- Small Business Support: 245 microentrepreneurs granted ₱15,000 in capital via the Sustainable Livelihood Program
- Healthcare: 60 dialysis patients served daily at a new facility launched in October 2024; 75,466 residents received medical assistance
- Education: 4,598 CHED scholars supported; 929 senior high school students received ₱2.8 million in allowances; 1,410 others assisted through various scholarship initiatives
- Social Welfare: 132,567 families aided via the Rice Distribution Program; 65,300 individuals fed through Kusina on Wheels; 64,000 families received aid through the Pamaskong Handog initiative
- Disaster and Emergency Response: 7,789 families assisted after fire incidents; 3,500 families supported with burial aid; 40,684 individuals received financial help for miscellaneous needs
One of the standout initiatives, according to Atayde, is the Kusina on Wheels—a mobile feeding program that delivers free meals across all 37 barangays of the district.
In addition to social services, Atayde highlighted infrastructure accomplishments such as the construction of flood control structures, multipurpose buildings, and school facilities. He also committed to future developments: “We will make sure that all barangay halls in the district will be powered by solar energy,” he said.
On youth and sports development, Atayde proudly shared that 987 young athletes benefited from his Aksyon Agad Sports Program, and that the Inter-Barangay Youth Program and Council League will soon expand to include new sports like badminton, chess, darts, and bowling.
Legislatively, Atayde has authored or co-authored a total of 174 House Bills and 78 House Resolutions, and he cited key measures such as the Expanded Violence Against Women and Children Act, the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers, and the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act. He is also pushing for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill and the conversion of the Quezon City General Hospital into a full-fledged medical center.
“Ang mga proyekto o numero ay wala sa ubod ng Aksyon Agad, kundi ang bawat taong natulungan at bawat pamilyang naiangat,” he emphasized.
With tears in his eyes, Atayde vowed to continue working harder: “Napakalaking karangalan po na ako’y inyong pinagkatiwalaan. At sa darating na mga taon, lalo pa akong magsisikap para sa ating distrito.”
Mayor Joy Belmonte, Senator Erwin Tulfo, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and other local leaders were present to show their support during the event.
Rep. Arjo Atayde is seeking a second term in the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.
