Negros Occ. LGUs to receive over PHP 2 billion under BBM program

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, including this city, will receive more than PHP 2 billion in financial assistance through the national government’s “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang (BBM)” program.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson announced on Monday that the total allocation amounts to PHP 2.044 billion and will be released through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

The funding will benefit the provincial government, including Bacolod City, along with 31 cities and municipalities in the province.

Of the total amount, Lacson said PHP 342 million has been earmarked for the provincial government, while the remaining funds will be distributed among component cities and municipalities.

The funds will be equally divided between two priority areas. Half of the allocation will support rice distribution programs, while the remaining 50 percent will finance local infrastructure projects, the governor said.

Lacson said each LGU has already been informed of its respective allocation. “That has been computed by the national government,” he added.

A special briefing on the program was held here on Saturday, hosted by Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez at the residence of his father, Bacolod lone district Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.

Among those present were municipal and city mayors across the province, as well as former Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, who was designated by the Office of the President to explain the mechanics of the BBM program to local officials.

Lacson emphasized that the program is inclusive. “The program is for all. We just have to upload — to let them know that we will take part in this BBM program,” he said.

He said Negros Occidental was chosen as the first stop for the briefing due to the strong unity among its leaders, noting there is no division between the governor’s office, congressional representatives and local chief executives.

“We should be happy about that — impression from the national level,” he added.

The Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program is a national government initiative that channels financial assistance to LGUs through the LGSF to support local development priorities. The LGSF is a lump-sum appropriation under the General Appropriations Act administered by the Department of Budget and Management, designed to fund priority programs and projects of LGUs, particularly those with limited fiscal capacity.