Iloilo barangays to get PHP 344M aid

By Mariela Angella Oladive

All 1,721 barangays in Iloilo province are set to receive PHP 200,000 each under the national government’s “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” program, which combines educational assistance and community development support.

The total assistance, amounting to PHP 344 million, will be coursed through the Iloilo Provincial Government.

Under the program, PHP 100,000 per barangay will be allocated for educational aid benefiting five college students, who will each receive PHP 20,000.

Priority beneficiaries include graduating or senior college students from low-income households, families affected by unemployment or underemployment, and families without a college graduate.

Students enrolled in both private and state universities and colleges are eligible for the assistance.

The remaining PHP 100,000 may be used by barangays for small-scale projects and equipment purchases, including solar streetlights, CCTV cameras, patrol vehicles, disaster response equipment, office equipment, tents, monoblock chairs, and other public service and disaster risk reduction and management initiatives.

The program is part of the national government’s broader rollout of assistance to barangays, with Malacañang earlier saying that all 42,011 barangays nationwide would receive PHP 200,000 each for education, safety, and local development projects.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Federation President Amalia Victoria Debuque met Monday, May 18, to discuss preparations for the implementation and distribution of the funds.

The Provincial Government is eyeing the release of the assistance on July 19 during the Iloilo Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay Day, ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address on July 27.

Provincial officials said the program is expected to ease the financial burden of families with college students while helping barangays address immediate community and disaster preparedness needs.

Defensor, Debuque, and select members of the Provincial Finance Committee are also scheduled to travel to Manila on May 28 to formalize the downloading of funds from the national government to the Iloilo Provincial Government.