Negros barangays urged to properly use PHP 120.2M aid

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has urged the province’s 601 barangays to use PHP 120.2 million in Presidential Assistance to Barangays under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. and Lacson led the ceremonial turnover of the assistance at Panaad Park and Stadium here on Friday.

They were joined by Assistant Secretary Rea Uy Epistola of the Office of the President, provincial board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay President Richard Julius Sablan, mayors, provincial board members, and congressional district representatives.

Each barangay will receive PHP 200,000, bringing the provincewide allocation to PHP 120.2 million.

Lacson said PHP 100,000 of each barangay’s allocation will be distributed to scholars, while the remaining PHP 100,000 will fund priority barangay projects.

Each barangay selected five scholars who will receive PHP 20,000 each.

The allocation follows the structure of the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang program, which provides each participating barangay with PHP 100,000 for five college scholars and PHP 100,000 for locally identified community projects.

Lacson thanked the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Office of the President for supporting communities through the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang program.

He said the assistance would help scholars complete college and pursue better job opportunities.

Lacson said barangays could use the project allocation to install streetlights, purchase essential equipment, and strengthen disaster preparedness programs.

“We will make sure that these aid will directly benefit the people and would continue to unite towards a better and more progressive province,” Lacson said.

“I believe that this big support for the barangays would make a greater impact to the whole province,” he added.

Abalos stressed the importance of education as a means of improving scholars’ lives and those of their families.

“Education is the greatest equalizer. It is very important,” he told the barangay scholars.

Abalos said the program seeks to bring Malacañang closer to communities and show residents that the national government is open to hearing their concerns.

Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, Second District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, and Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez thanked the president for extending assistance to the province, particularly for the needs of barangay scholars.

The lawmakers acknowledged the challenges students face in completing their studies and the efforts of parents to send their children to school.

“Study well, finish your studies, and love your parents,” they said.

Sablan said the province was making history as he thanked Marcos for the initiative aimed at uplifting every community in Negros Occidental.

“This is more than just a ceremony, but a testatment to the power of unity and promise of brighter future for all barangays in the province,” he added.

Sablan said the presence of officials and residents was a reminder that leaders and citizens can turn hope into action and dreams into reality when they work together.

“This program is transformative for the graduating college students, bringing hope and opportunity to the youth,” Sablan said.

He said the assistance also gives barangay captains resources to respond more effectively to the urgent needs of families and communities.

The national program has extended Socio-Civic Projects Fund assistance to tens of thousands of barangays, with the government positioning the grants as support for education and locally selected development projects.