All 601 barangays in Negros Occidental received on Friday a total of PHP120.2 million in financial assistance under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program.

During the ceremonial turnover at the Panaad Park and Stadium here, Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Assistant Secretary Rea Uy Epistola handed the symbolic check from the Office of the President to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Board Member Richard Julius Sablan of the Liga ng mga Barangay.

Each village received PHP200,000 from the Presidential Assistance to Barangays under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund.

The Bawat Barangay Makikinabang program allots every village to receive such amount, half of which, or PHP100,000, will be used for educational aid of presidential scholars, with five graduating college students set to receive PHP20,000 each.

In his message, Abalos said that when he assumed his post two weeks ago, the President’s directive is to open the doors of Malacañang to the Filipino people and bring the government programs closer to them.

“Ngayon lang nagkaroon ng ganitong komprehensibong program sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Ang may limang scholar sa bawat barangay puera pa ang PHP100,000, puera ang Local Government Support Fund ng local government units (LGUs) sa pondo mismo ng isang pangulo. Ibinababa ng Malacañang sa tao,” he added.

Abalos told the barangay scholars that education is the great equalizer for their own future and also of their families.

“My prayers are with you and for the parents, and for the whole people of Negros,” he said.

Lacson said he hopes the barangay officials will use the assistance from the national government with integrity, transparency and accountability.

“Let’s make sure that it will bring direct benefits to our people. May we continue to unite towards the prosperity and bright future of our province, and the entire Philippines,” he stressed.

Sablan said the turnover of the Presidential Assistance to Barangays under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund is more than a ceremony as it is a testament to the power of unity and the promise of a brighter future for the barangays in Negros Occidental.

“This program brings hope and opportunity to the youth who will shape our nation’s future, and to our punong barangays, this program is a powerful tool, empowering us with the resources needed to respond swiftly and effectively to the urgent needs of our families and communities,” he added. (PNA)