Marcos ordered distribution of P8B for barangays' education, economic projects — Recto

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has ordered the distribution of P8 billion to 42,000 barangays, which aims to ease the burden of the public amid the Middle East crisis. 

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the program, rolled out on March 24, provides each barangay with P200,000 for educational, social, and economic projects.

''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 in a press statement.

(We will directly give support to barangays. The President directed the strengthening of these barangays as they serve as frontliners for the public. They see first the problem and they should also immediately act on this.) 

Among latest recipients were the barangays of Pilar, Bataan who received their grants on Thursday, the Office of the Executive Secretary said. 

Out of the P200,000 fund, a barangay can spend half of it for projects and programs listed in a menu. It can be used for street lights, patrol vehicles and CCTVs to promote safety, or power generators to supply electricity to health centers and evacuation centers during disasters. 

The other half will fund a “finisher program” for barangay residents who are college seniors so that their graduation will not be “derailed or delayed” by the economic disturbance caused by the crisis. 

Under this program, up to 200,000 graduating college students will be saved from economic dislocation that might force them to drop out of school.

The Office of the President has partnered with the Liga ng mga Barangay to mobilize recipients and monitor fund use. This project will be implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Recto said the distribution to barangays must be completed before June 2026 and all funds must be utilized by the end of the year. — RSJ, GMA News