President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said every barangay in the country will receive P200,000 under a socio-civic development fund meant to support students and local community projects.
Speaking during the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang event in the Zamboanga Peninsula on June 29, Marcos said half of the amount, or P100,000, must be used to support five students chosen by each barangay.
The selected beneficiaries will be called Presidential Scholars because the assistance will come from the Office of the President.
Marcos said each barangay may choose five students, preferably those who are close to graduating but need financial help to continue their studies. Each scholar is expected to receive P20,000 in assistance.
“Pumili kayo ng mga nag-aaral na malapit nang magtapos, pero baka hindi makatapos dahil kulang sa pambayad,” Marcos said.
The President said the remaining P100,000 will be left to the discretion of barangay officials, who may use the funds for priority local projects based on the needs of their communities.
He said some barangays that had already received assistance used the funds to buy rice, motorcycles, or improve water systems.
Marcos said the program aims to give barangay officials more room to implement their own initiatives instead of constantly relying on higher levels of government for funding.
“Wala nang mas marunong, mas alam ang sitwasyon doon sa kanilang lugar, kung hindi ang mga local government officials,” Marcos said.
He said the national government has already provided the socio-civic development fund to nearly 20,000 barangays and intends to continue the program nationwide.
The President said the Philippines has more than 42,000 barangays. If all barangays are covered, he said the program could support more than 200,000 scholars.
Marcos also said he would push for a bigger allocation in the 2027 budget if the barangay fund and the Local Government Support Fund are implemented properly.
“Pag maging maganda ang takbo ng programang ito at ng programa doon sa LGSF, titiyakin ko sa budget ng 2027, palakihin pa natin ang bibigay natin,” Marcos said.
The President said the program reflects his view that education is a right, not a privilege, and that government must do what it can to help students finish their studies.
“Ang edukasyon na ibinibigay ng pamahalaan sa taumbayan, sa mga kabataan, ay hindi pribilehiyo. Para sa akin, ito ay karapatan,” Marcos said.
He said the government would continue listening to local officials and communities to identify what support is needed on the ground.