Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto spearheaded the ceremonial distribution of direct financial assistance to 770 barangays spanning 22 cities and municipalities in Cavite on September 11.
Rolled out under the Marcos administration’s “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” initiative, the program bypasses traditional administrative delays to deliver national funds directly into the hands of village leaders for education and community development.
Under the program’s framework, each participating barangay receives a total allocation of P200,000 divided equally between youth education and neighborhood improvements. Half of the funding, or P100,000, goes toward the Bagong Pilipinas Barangay Scholars Program, which grants P20,000 to each of five incoming fourth-year college students per village to help them complete their degrees. The remaining P100,000 is designated for local infrastructure and public safety upgrades, allowing barangay captains to invest directly in solar streetlights, patrol vehicles, emergency gear, and disaster preparedness resources.
Addressing the assembled officials, Recto highlighted the national government’s focus on grassroots empowerment and long-term poverty alleviation through educational support.
“Naniniwala po ang Pangulo na edukasyon ang pinakasusi para makaahon sa kahirapan ang isang pamilya, gayundin ang isang bansa. Kaya ang gusto niya: bawat barangay, may college graduates,” Recto said.
Recto urged local leaders to manage the distributed checks with complete transparency and accountability, emphasizing that village officials understand their citizens’ daily needs far better than national agencies.
“Direkta pong ipinagkatiwala sa inyo ng Pangulo ang pondong ito, dahil kayo ang araw-araw na nasa ground,” Recto explained. “Kayo ang pinakanakakaalam kung ano ang totoong prayoridad at pangangailangan ng inyong mga komunidad.”
The Cavite distribution marks a step forward for the “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” initiative, a central component of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda that aims to extend direct capital allocations to communities across the entire country.