Barangays to get P200K from Marcos Jr. program

CEBU, Philippines — Every barangay in the country is set to receive P200,000 under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Program, with P100,000 allocated for student assistance and another P100,000 for eligible barangay projects.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 Local Government Operations Officer V Norman Contado said the DILG assists the Liga ng mga Barangay in implementing the program, monitors compliance, and tracks the use of funds.

Under the guidelines, five qualified Bagong Pilipinas Barangay Scholars will each receive P20,000. Priority is given to graduating students from vulnerable households, those at risk of dropping out, and families without college graduates.

If no qualified graduating students are available, qualified third-year students or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholars may be considered.

In Cebu City, Barangay Zapatera Captain David Agravante said the assistance has helped beneficiaries cope with educational expenses. Some funds were coursed directly through schools to ensure proper use.

The remaining P100,000 will fund eligible barangay projects. Cebu City barangays agreed to procure 100 monoblock chairs and two steel-pipe tents each for community activities and gatherings.

Barangay Kamputhaw representative and councilor Judylyn Solon-Cantal said the barangay conducted document verification and ocular inspections to ensure that beneficiaries met the requirements and to prevent favoritism.

Contado said DILG field offices will continue validating implementation, while barangays are required to comply with documentation and Commission on Audit rules. He said the DILG is working toward completing implementation in all barangays in Central Visayas.

Agravante and Solon-Cantal thanked Marcos for providing direct assistance to barangays and urged the government to continue supporting communities and students in need.

The BBM Program seeks to bring government assistance directly to communities while ensuring that public funds are used in accordance with established guidelines and remain subject to monitoring, validation, documentation, and accountability. (CEBU NEWS)