President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the immediate release of ₱8 billion in assistance for 42,000 barangays nationwide to help communities cope with the economic fallout of the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the initiative, dubbed “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” (BBM), was launched on March 24. Under the program, each barangay will receive ₱200,000 to fund projects in education, livelihood, and social services.
The initial rollout has already reached 5,000 barangays, with Marcos personally overseeing the distribution in Pilar on April 9.
Recto explained that half of the allocation may be used for infrastructure and safety projects such as street lighting, patrol vehicles, CCTV systems, and power generators to support health centers and evacuation facilities.
“Direktang ibibigay ang suporta sa mga barangay. Utos ng Pangulo na palakasin sila sapagkat ang mga frontliners na ito ang pinakamalapit sa tao. Sila ang unang nakakakita ng problema. At sila rin ang dapat may kakayahang umaksyon agad,” Recto said.
The remaining ₱100,000 per barangay will fund a “finisher program” designed to help college students complete their studies despite financial challenges.
“We are protecting the dreams of students who are already within reach of graduation. Hindi natin sila hahayaang huminto sa huling taon ng pag-aaral,” Recto added.
To ensure transparency, the Office of the President is coordinating with the Liga ng mga Barangay, while the Department of the Interior and Local Government will oversee compliance with budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules.
Recto said the distribution of funds is expected to be completed before June 2026, with full utilization targeted by year’s end.