President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday launched the administration’s flagship “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program in South Cotabato and Cotabato, handing over ₱136 million in community-based assistance while reaffirming national commitment to Mindanao’s inclusive development, education, and disaster recovery.
The initiative, which translates to “Every Town Shall Benefit,” forms a core pillar of the administration’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, aiming to decentralize government services and drive grassroots development by directly empowering local government units (LGUs).
During the launch, President Marcos led the ceremonial turnover of the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) to local leaders:
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₱96 Million: Allocated to the Provincial Government of Cotabato.
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₱40 Million: Allocated to the Provincial Government of South Cotabato.
The President also announced targeted grassroots funding, confirming that every barangay nationwide will receive ₱200,000 in assistance. Half of this allocation (₱100,000 per barangay) is strictly earmarked for higher education. Under the program, each barangay will select five scholars to receive ₱20,000 each, an initiative projected to support up to 210,000 students annually across the country.
“The most important thing we can give our youth is a good education,” President Marcos said, emphasizing that education remains the ultimate equalizer for Filipino families.
Addressing recent seismic activity in Southern Mindanao, the President highlighted key policy reforms designed to bypass bureaucratic delays during crises.
The national government immediately deployed ₱20 million in Quick Response Funds (QRF) to affected families. Furthermore, recent structural updates to the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) now grant governors and mayors faster, more direct access to emergency resources.
“You can expect our continuous assistance to everyone affected by the powerful earthquake,” Marcos assured residents.
The “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” rollout complements the ongoing mandate of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to foster socio-economic progress across the region.
MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno emphasized that investing in youth and local governance is vital to achieving lasting peace and stability. “By bringing assistance closer to communities and supporting educational opportunities, initiatives such as this help ensure that development truly reaches the grassroots level,” Magno stated.
President Marcos was accompanied by high-ranking officials, including Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., and North Cotabato Vice Governor Rochella Marie Taliño-Taray, alongside local mayors, barangay leaders, and the initial cohort of Presidential Scholars.
