President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to strengthening local communities, announcing that nearly 2,000 local government units (LGUs) across the country have benefited from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
Speaking at the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang: Tarlac” event held at the Tarlac City Civic Center, President Marcos highlighted the progress of key government initiatives aimed at cushioning the impact of rising living costs and commodity prices, particularly those driven by global oil price fluctuations.
“Out of nearly 2,000 LGUs nationwide, we have already provided LGSF assistance to 1,276 LGUs, which includes our Rice Program,” President Marcos said, emphasizing that the administration maintains sufficient funding through the LGSF to sustain these initiatives.
The “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program is a flagship national initiative aimed at accelerating aid distribution, boosting local development, and funding educational opportunities:
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Targeted Food Relief: Distribution of 10-kilogram packs of rice per family to vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, indigent families, farmers, fisherfolk, and minimum wage earners, including public transport drivers.
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Barangay Cash Assistance: Allocation through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) under the Office of the President, delivering ₱200,000 to each participating barangay.
The SCPF funding is structured to address both local operational needs and higher education access:
| Allocation | Amount | Purpose |
| Local Operations | ₱100,000 | Funding for barangay equipment, supplies, facility repairs, and essential community projects. |
| Presidential Scholarships | ₱100,000 | Educational grants awarded to five (5) students per barangay, providing ₱20,000 per student. |
President Marcos urged barangay officials to exercise prudence when selecting scholarship recipients, advising them to prioritize students on the verge of graduating who face financial hardships.
He reiterated that education remains the top priority of his administration’s national budget, noting that investing in the youth is essential to securing the nation’s future.
“Youth represent our future. To ensure a bright future for the Philippines, we must guarantee a quality education for our young people,” President Marcos stated, stressing that education is the most critical service the government can provide to the Filipino people.
